Skip to main content
ARS Home » Plains Area » Houston, Texas » Children's Nutrition Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #267122
Title: Metabolic, endocrine, and immunologic biomarkers change in response to weight loss in obese Hispanic children

Author
item WILSON, THERESA - Children'S Nutrition Research Center (CNRC)
item BUTTE, NANCT - Children'S Nutrition Research Center (CNRC)
item MEHTA, NITESH - Children'S Nutrition Research Center (CNRC)
item BARLOW, SARAH - Baylor College Of Medicine
item BUSH, JILL - Towson University
item OLVERA, NORMA - University Of Houston
item WONG, WILLIAM - Children'S Nutrition Research Center (CNRC)
item KLISH, WILLIAM - Baylor College Of Medicine

Submitted to: Obesity
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/1/2009
Publication Date: 11/1/2009
Citation: Wilson, T.A., Butte, N.F., Mehta, N., Barlow, S.E., Bush, J., Olvera, N., Wong, W., Klish, W. 2009. Metabolic, endocrine, and immunologic biomarkers change in response to weight loss in obese Hispanic children. Obesity. 17: S241 (Suppl. 2).

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Pediatric obesity and its associated comorbid conditions continue to grow in epidemic proportions. While it is known that moderate 10% weight loss in adults is correlated with improvements in metabolic risk factors, the relationship between weight loss and risk reduction in children is not well defined. The specific aim of this study was to test the effect of changes in weight, fat free mass (FFM) and fat mass (FM) on changes in metabolic, endocrine, and immunologic biomarkers in a cohort of Hispanic children participating in the VIVA LA SALUD INFANTIL Study. Thirty-seven obese Hispanic children (7-12 years) were randomized to two treatment groups of a 4-month intervention that consisted of weekly 45-minute behavior modification and nutrition education consultations, with or without structured aerobic exercise 60 min/day 3x/week. The program was family-based and administered at a local community center. Measurements included anthropometry by standard techniques and body composition by deuterium dilution. Fasting blood samples were obtained and biomarkers measured using standard techniques. Changes in weight, FFM, and FM were achieved by the 4-month intervention. Weight change ranged from -7% to +12% of initial body weight. Improvements in total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, insulin, ALT, AST, leptin, CRP, TNF-a and MCP-1 were observed. Adjusting for age and gender, weight change was significantly correlated with the change in total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, insulin, leptin, IL-6, and ghrelin. Controlling for age and gender, FFM change was significantly correlated with the change in triglycerides, insulin, adiponectin, and leptin. FM change was not significantly associated with any of the biochemical changes. No differences between treatment groups were observed. In the VIVA LA SALUD INFANTIL cohort, weight loss was associated with improvements in several obesity-related risk factors. Better understanding of the impact of weight loss and body composition changes on obesity-related risk factors will facilitate meaningful goal setting in the treatment of pediatric obesity.