Study of Markers for Assessment of Insulin Resistance in Obese Children and Adolescents

Background: Valid and reliable methods are essential to assess the presence and the extent of insulin resistance, the associated risk factors and the effect of pharmacological and lifestyle interventions. The aim of this work was to evaluate Homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) for assessment of insulin resistance among obese children and adolescents.

Methods: This case control study included 40 children and adolescent with ages of 6 to 16 years who were classified into: Group I: 20 obese children and adolescents (body mass index (BMI) > 95th percentile on Egyptian growth curves and Group II: 20 healthy children as a control group of matched age and sex to group 1 and who had normal BMI. All subjects underwent 1) Thorough history taking 2) Full clinical examination 3) Laboratory investigations: Fasting blood glucose, Fasting serum insulin level, HOMA-IR, HbA1c.and OGTT.

Results: There is no significant statistical difference as regard age, height, sex and puberty staging in both groups. The mean for weight, BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference, waist/hip ratio and acanthosis nigricans were found to be significantly higher in patient group. FBG, fasting serum insulin, HbA1c and HOMA-IR were significantly higher in patient group than in control group (p <0.001). HOMA-IR was significantly correlated with HbA1c and OGTT in obese patients (p<0.001*).

Conclusions: HOMA-IR can be used in assessment of insulin resistance among obese children and adolescents.