Author/Authors :
Empringham, Brianna Department of Pediatrics - McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada , Jennings, William J Department of Pediatrics - McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada , Rajan, Raeesha Department of Pediatrics - McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada , Fleming, Adam J Department of Pediatrics - McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada , Portwine, Carol Department of Pediatrics - McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada , Johnston, Donna L Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology - Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada , Zelcer, Shayna M Pediatric Hematology Oncology - Children’s Hospital - London Health Sciences Center, London, Ontario, Canada , Rassekh, Shahrad Rod Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology/BMT - Department of Pediatrics - British Columbia’s Children’s Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada , Tran, Victoria Department of Pediatrics - McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada , Burrow, Sarah Division of Orthopedic Surgery - Department of Surgery - McMaster University Medical Centre, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada , Thabane, Lehana Department of Health Research Methods - Evidence and Impact - McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada , Samaan, M Constantine Department of Health Research Methods - Evidence and Impact - McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Abstract :
Background
Obesity is characterized by the disproportionate expansion of the fat mass and is most commonly diagnosed using the Body Mass Index (BMI) z-score or percentile in children. However, these measures associate poorly with the fat mass. This is important, as adiposity is a more robust predictor of cardiometabolic risk than BMI-based measures, but there are limited clinical measures of adiposity in children. A new measure, the Tri-ponderal Mass Index (TMI, kg/m3) has recently demonstrated robust prediction of adiposity in children. The aim of this study is to explore the association of leptin, a validated biomarker of the fat mass, with TMI.
Methods
One hundred and eight children and adolescents were included in this cross-sectional study. Height and weight were used to calculate TMI. Plasma leptin was measured using ELISA. Multivariable regression analysis was applied to determine the predictors of TMI.
Results
The age range of participants included in this study was 8.00–16.90 years (female n=48, 44%). Leptin correlated with BMI percentile (r=0.64, p-value <0.0001) and TMI (r=0.71, p-value <0.0001). The multivariable regression analysis revealed that BMI percentile (Estimated Beta-coefficient 0.002, 95% CI 0.002–0.003, p-value <0.0001) and Leptin (Estimated Beta-coefficient 0.05, 95% CI 0.02–0.07, p-value 0.013) were associated with TMI.
Conclusion
Leptin is associated with TMI in healthy children. The TMI is a feasible clinical measure of adiposity that may be used to stratify children and adolescents for further assessments and interventions to manage and attempt to prevent cardiometabolic comorbidities.
