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Exciting Science Presented at ENDO 2005 Provides New Insight Into the Development of Childhood Obesity: How Quickly A Baby Grows in Infancy May Predict His/Her Future Body Mass Index In the study, "Rapid Growth in the First Six Months of Life is Associated with a Higher Body Mass Index at Two Years of Age," researchers examined changes in postnatal body mass index (BMI) and its relationship with birth size in a cohort of babies from 1650 Caucasian mothers. BMI is a standard measure of weight in proportion to length/height and an indicator of obesity. The results of this study suggest that a child's growth rate may be an indicator for their future weight. "The Endocrine Society believes this study is important because it shows that rapid growth in an infant may be an early indicator that he or she is at greater risk for overweight and obesity later in childhood," says Dr. Andrea Dunaif, President of The Endocrine Society. Because excessive weight gain in childhood is linked with an increased risk for developing conditions like type 2 diabetes, heart disease and hypertension, it is important for parents to know they are not alone if they are concerned about their child's growth. "Growth and weight gain during infancy are obviously both healthy and normal," says Dr. Henry Anhalt, a pediatric endocrinologist and member of The Endocrine Society's Obesity Advisory Board. "However, parents should be encouraged to monitor their child's rate of growth during this time period. If the child is growing too much or too quickly, a pediatrician or family practitioner should be consulted. Should this doctor determine any abnormalities in the child's growth, a referral to a specialist - namely a pediatric endocrinologist - may be necessary." Does Size at Birth Reflect Future Risk for Diabetes and Heart Disease? There are standards, or averages, for babies' weights according to their ages in utero (in weeks). When a baby's weight is at or below the 10th percentile for his or her age in utero, it is called intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR). These babies are smaller than they should be in comparison to others at their age. IUGR pre-birth has been associated with an increased risk for diabetes and heart disease later in life. Similarly, individuals who are obese have higher risk for diabetes and heart disease. Some researchers assume that insulin resistance may play a role in both conditions - IUGR and obesity - and may impact risk levels for both diabetes and heart disease. In the study "Influence of Fetal Growth and Current Fat Mass on Insulin Resistance in Obese Children," researchers evaluated a study population of obese children, age nine through 13, in an attempt to understand the influence fetal growth may have on insulin sensitivity. The children were grouped according to their birth weight, fetal growth and current body mass index (BMI), a weight/height ratio. The study found that in the obese children, the presence of IUGR as well as the children's current size were both significant predictors of central distribution of fat mass and insulin resistance -characteristics of increased risk for diabetes and heart disease. Overall, the researchers found that size at birth, in addition to current BMI, should be taken into account when attempting to identify children who may be at increased risk for insulin resistance and when managing childhood overweight and obesity. For more information on these and other exciting studies presented at ENDO 2005, visit http://www.endo-society.org/media/pressroom.cfm or contact media@endo-society.org
What's New in Obesity Research? Coming this month in the The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (JCE&M): 
Obesity and Cardiovascular Risks in Children
In obese adults, vascular endothelial cell and platelet activation, key indicators for increased cardiovascular disease risk, tend to be present. In the study, "Early Activation of Vascular Endothelial Cells and Platelets in Obese Children," researchers aimed to evaluate whether or not such activation is already present in children who are obese. Forty obese and 40 non-obese children, with an average age around 10 years, were studied. Indices of vascular endothelial cell activation - in this instance, circulating levels of soluble (s) ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and E-selectin - were measured in both the control non-obese, as well as in the obese populations. Measurements of platelet activation, including levels of sP-selectin and sCD40 ligand, were also measured. The researchers found that the circulating levels of all assessed markers for cardiovascular disease risk were higher in the obese children. Researchers conclude that risk for cardiovascular disease when associated with obesity can begin as early as childhood. Understanding of the endocrine-related factors that play a role in an individual's development during puberty is minimal. Leptin and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) are two such metabolic factors that have been linked to body energy status during this period of development. Although scientists assume leptin and IGF-1 play integral roles in both pubertal growth and in the development of metabolic disorders, the fluctuations in leptin and IGF-1 levels throughout puberty, as well as the genetic basis of both, remain unclear. In "A Twin Study for Serum Leptin, Soluble Leptin Receptor and Free Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 in Pubertal Females," researchers aimed to understand both the genetic and environmental influences of leptin and IGF-1 in female subjects at or around puberty. Three hundred and sixty girls, age 6 through 18 years, consisting of 132 pairs of identical and 48 pairs of fraternal twins, were recruited to participate in this study. The girls' weights, heights and other anthropometric measurements, as well as sexual characteristics, were assessed, and their serum total leptin and IGF-1 levels were measured. Trends in the levels of leptin and IGF-1 measurements were reported to correlate with particular developmental peaks throughout the girls' pubertal development - including the onset of thelarche, or the beginning of breast development, and menarche, or the beginning of menstruation, as well as during pubertal growth spurts. The study findings offer key insight into the role of endocrine regulators - such as leptin and IGF-1 - on pubertal development and metabolic disorders. Researchers stress the importance of additional study into the genetic regulation of these factors. If you have any questions about this issue of The Endocrine Edge or The Endocrine Society, please contact media@endo-society.org |
