Serum Leptin Correlated with Anthropometric Indices in obese Subjects

Abstract

Background: Obesity has become a worldwide concern. Elevated serum leptin has been implicated in obesity in some populations. There is paucity of information on leptin and obesity in Nigeria. This study was designed to evaluate serum leptin, lipids and lipoproteins levels in relationship to anthropometric indices in obese Nigerians. Methods: Two hundred and seventeen subjects consisting of 154 obese age 44.55 ± 8.81 years and 63 ideal body weight and age matched controls were recruited. The obese group consisted of 120 females and 34 males while the controls were 32 females and 31 males. Anthropometric indices, serum leptin, lipids and lipoproteins were determined using standard procedures. Results: Results showed significant increases in serum leptin (p<0.001), plasma triglyceride (TG) (p<0.01) and LDLC: HDLC ratio (p<0.05) when compared with the control values. A significant decreased was obtained in plasma HDLC (p<0.01) in the obese siubjects. The obese females had a higher serum leptin than obese males. There were significant increases in the body weight, waist circumference (WC) and hip circumference (HC), BMI and %body fat (%BF) (p<0.001) as well as waist: hip ratio (WHR) (p<0.05) when compared with the control values. Leptin was significantly correlated with WC, HC, BMI, WHR and %BF. Conclusion: Elevated serum leptin in obese Nigerians with increased plasma TG and decreased HDLC was significantly correlated with anthropometric indices, indications for metabolic syndrome and other chronic diseases.

Leptin Concentrations in Non-Obese and Obese Non-Diabetes Nigerian-Africans

“…This study showed increasing level of plasma leptin from normal BMI category to pre-obese and obese groups irrespective of sex. This is consistent with previous reports from most African, 16 , 24 , 28 , 30–33 American 14 , 17 , 18 , 21 , 27 , 34 and studies from other continents. 22 , 23 , 25 , 26 , 35 , 37 There was however, variations in Median leptin concentrations across populations, ethnicities and geographical locations.…”

“…The high Median leptin levels in this study is somewhat similar to previous reports in Industrialized countries, 18 , 22 , 23 , 25 , 27 , 35 , 36 some African 24 , 26 and Nigerian studies. 16 , 31 , 32 It however, contrasts report of much lower leptin levels in some other geographical locations. 33 , 44 In the present study, specimens were stored with aprotinin.…”

“…Studies have shown positive correlation between serum leptin and percentage of adipose tissue, 16 , 17 suggesting that most obese people may be insensitive to endogenously produced leptin; while humans with congenital leptin deficiency (CLD) (mutations of LEP or LR gene), exhibit morbid obesity, impaired satiety, intensive hyperphagia and continuous food seeking behaviour, hyperinsulinaemia, hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, liver steatosis, dyslipidaemia and frequent deaths sequel to infections. 13 , 18–21 Elucidation of the mechanisms involved in leptin resistance is difficult via in-vivo studies and clear criteria for definition of leptin resistance are not yet established.…”

“… 3 , 5 , 17 , 18 , 20–22 , 27 Information on leptin levels in indigenous African populations is scanty with few data emanating from South-Africa, 28 Sudan, 29 Benin-Republic 24 Cameroon 30 and Nigeria. 16 , 24 , 30–33 Conflicting evidence exists on leptin production rates and levels among ethnic groups, 26 , 27 , 34 with some studies showing positive correlation with anthropometric indices and or fasting insulin, fasting blood glucose as well as homeostasis-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), 18 , 21 , 23 , 24 , 26 , 27 , 31 , 33 , 35–37 while some other reported contrasting finding. 34 This study was therefore, conducted to determine plasma leptin concentrations in a sample of obese and non-obese non-diabetes healthy Northern Nigerian-Africans and assess its relation to anthropometric measures, fasting insulin and metabolic indices, bearing in mind ethnic and geographical differences in a heterogeneous global society.…”

Socio-behavioral Determinants of Overweight and Obesity in Egyptian Primary School Children

“…Nowadays, children lack the required amount of physical activity which may be due to spending much time in front of television sets, watching computers and playing video games [7]. Low and middle income countries have picked up many of the modern habits associated with obesity; watching television, buying processed foods at supermarkets, and eating more food away from home [8]. The emerging epidemic of obesity in these countries is of special concern because it creates a dual burden of disease in these countries which still struggle with under nutrition problem [9].…”