Objectives: To determine the relationship between body mass index (BMI), homeostasis model assessment -insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and insulinemia.Methods: This was a prospective cross-sectional observational study of 132 prepubescent schoolchildren residents in the municipality of Santo André, Brazil. Children underwent anthropometric assessment, their glycemia and insulinemia were measured and their HOMA-IR index calculated.Results: Seventy-eight of the 132 children (59.1%) were girls and 54 were boys (40.9%), with a mean age of 8.7 years and mean BMI of 13.7 kg/m 2 . A significant positive association was detected between HOMA-IR and BMI, insulin and BMI, weight and HOMA and between insulin and weight. It was also found that the higher the BMI, the greater the HOMA score. Conclusions:The results of this study allow for the conclusion that there is a strong association between hyperinsulinism and obesity. Métodos: Realizou-se um estudo observacional prospectivo transversal com 132 crianças pré-púberes em idade escolar e residentes no município de Santo André (SP). Fez-se a avaliação antropométrica e a mensuração da glicemia, da insulinemia e do índice HOMA-IR.Resultados: Dentre as 132 crianças avaliadas, 78 eram meninas (59,1%) e 54 eram meninos (40,9%), com média de idade de 8,7 anos e média de IMC de 13,7 kg/m 2 . Observou-se uma associação significativa e positiva entre HOMA-IR e IMC, insulina e IMC, peso e HOMA e entre insulina e peso; também foi constatado que, quanto maior for o IMC, maior será o valor de HOMA. Conclusões:Os resultados do presente estudo permitem concluir que há uma forte associação entre o hiperinsulinismo e a obesidade, devendo ser tomadas algumas medidas para evitar o ganho de peso durante a infância e a adolescência.J Pediatr (Rio J). 2010;86(3):245-249: Coleta de amostras sanguí-neas, hiperinsulinismo, glicose.

Objectives: To determine the relationship between body mass index (BMI), homeostasis model assessment -insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and insulinemia.Methods: This was a prospective cross-sectional observational study of 132 prepubescent schoolchildren residents in the municipality of Santo André, Brazil. Children underwent anthropometric assessment, their glycemia and insulinemia were measured and their HOMA-IR index calculated.Results: Seventy-eight of the 132 children (59.1%) were girls and 54 were boys (40.9%), with a mean age of 8.7 years and mean BMI of 13.7 kg/m 2 . A significant positive association was detected between HOMA-IR and BMI, insulin and BMI, weight and HOMA and between insulin and weight. It was also found that the higher the BMI, the greater the HOMA score. Conclusions:The results of this study allow for the conclusion that there is a strong association between hyperinsulinism and obesity. Measures should be taken to avoid weight gain during childhood and adolescence. No conflicts of interest declared concerning the publication of this article.Suggested citation: Mieldazis SF, Azzalis LA, Junqueira VB, Souza FI, Sarni RO, Fonseca FL. Hyperinsulinism assessment in a sample of prepubescent children.