Adiposity trajectory and its associations with plasma adipokine levels in children and adolescentsA prospective cohort study

ObjectiveThis study aimed to examine the associations of longitudinal adiposity measures with two adipokines, leptin and adiponectin, and their ratio in children and adolescents. MethodsA total of 953 children and adolescents participated in a 6-year longitudinal study. Body mass index (BMI), percentage body fat (%BF), and fat mass index (FMI) were used to assess adiposity status. ResultsAfter adjusting for possible confounders, our regression models revealed that BMI, %BF, and FMI, in both the baseline and follow-up surveys were independently associated with a higher level of leptin and the leptin/adiponectin ratio at the follow-up survey, whereas the significant association with adiponectin only partly existed in adiposity measures at the follow-up visit. Moreover, the longitudinal change in adiposity measures was found to be a significant predictor for follow-up plasma adipokine levels. Compared with the lowlow group, the mediummedium group, up-trend group, and highhigh group all showed a significantly increased level of leptin and leptin/adiponectin ratio. The up-trend group and highhigh group also had significantly decreased adiponectin levels. ConclusionsThese findings highlight the importance of adiposity surveillance and the utility of adipokines as biomarkers for adverse metabolic consequences of childhood adiposity.