Relationship between obesity and leptin serum among low socioeconomic primary school children aged 5-7 years

Abstract

Background Obesity has become a major health problem globally, indicates as an epidemic problem by World Health Organization (WHO). Adiposity rebound period may represent critical period for the development of adiposity. Recent data suggest that, in industrialized countries, people of low socioeconomic group are more likely to be obese than their high socioeconomic counterparts. Level of serum leptin was reported to be higher in obese subjects. There has been lack of data regarding leptin serum level in Indonesian obese children. Objective This study aimed to investigate leptin serum level in low socioeconomic obese children. Methods This was a cross sectional study perfonned in Tuminting District, Manado. Obesity was defined based on body mass index for Asia􀁇Pacific condition, i.e., grade I obesity (BMI 25/29.9 kg/ mL), grade II (BM] 30-40 kg/ml), and grade III (BM] > 40 kg/m2 Low socioeconomic status was detennined based on Government's program Cash Direct Aid Program. loBod sample was obtained from inclusion subjects, consisted of leptin serum. Results Fifty􀁇two low socioeconomic obese children were eligible \\lith age ranged between 5 to 7 years. They were divided into grade ] obesity (43 or 82.7%), and grade II (9 or 17.3%). The lowest leptin blood level was 10,291 pg/mL, while the highest was 41,500 pg/dL. All girls had nonnal serum leptin level; in contrast all boys had increased serum leptin level. Conclusions Leprin level increased in those subjects whose BMI increased.

Keywords

• children
• obesity
• low socioeconomic
• leptin