| Abstract | dc.description.abstract | Backgrounds: There is a high prevalence of obesity and
hyperinsulinism among Chilean prepuberal children. Aim: To evaluate insulin sensitivity (IS) using
fasting insulin, the Homeostasis Model Assessment (HOMA) and quantitative insulin-sensitivity
check index (QUICKI) in Chilean children. Material and Methods: Body mass index (BMI), total
body fat percentage (%TBF) using the sum of 4 skin folds, abdominal obesity determined through
waist circumference (WC), pubertal maturation using five Tanner stages, fasting glucose (Glu) and
insulin (Ins), were measured in 354 children aged 6 to 15 years (173 males). IS was evaluated
using HOMA and QUICKI. Results: IS was strongly associated with %TBF and WC. Ins, HOMA and
QUICKI were significantly correlated with BMI (r =0.412; 0.405 y -0.442, respectively), %TBF (r
=0.370; 0.367 y -0.394, respectively), and WC (r =0.452; 0.446 y -0.481, respectively). Ins and
HOMA increased and QUICKI decreased significantly (p <0.0001) with age. Children in a similar
Tanner stage did not have differences in Ins, HOMA and QUICKI. No differences in Ins, HOMA and
QUICKI were observed between children in Tanner stages 1 and 2. However, children in Tanner
stages 1 and 2, had significantly lower Ins and HOMA and higher QUICKI than those in Tanner 3 to
5 stages. The highest Ins quartile for Tanner stages 1 and 2 was 10.0 µUI/dl; for Tanner stages 3 to
five, the figure was 15.6 µUI/dl. Conclusions: These results confirm the relationship of IS with BMI,
%TBF, WC and pubertal maturation. IS decreases significantly and fasting Ins levels increase
approximately 50% with puberty. This fact must be considered for the diagnosis of hyperinsulinism
and insulin resistance in children. | en |
