Effect of obesity intervention programs on adipokines, insulin resistance, lipid profile, and low-grade inflammation in 3- to 5-y-old children

BACKGROUND: Childhood obesity can cause the development of cardiovascular risk factors. We assessed the effect of a multidisciplinary intervention program on cardiovascular risk factors and compared this effect with a usual-care program in 3- to 5-y-old overweight or obese children.

METHODS: Seventy-five children were randomly assigned to a multidisciplinary intervention or a usual-care program. Anthropometry, body composition, and abdominal adipose tissue were assessed at the start and end of a 16-wk program. Concurrently, fasting concentrations of serum lipids, glucose, insulin, HbA1c, leptin, adiponectin, high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, and interleukin (IL)-6 were determined.

RESULTS: In both groups, insulin sensitivity improved, demonstrated by decreased insulin concentrations and a decreased HOMA2-IR. In the multidisciplinary intervention group, there was also a decrease of HbA1c and TNF-alpha. In the usual-care group, an increase in glucose concentrations was found. Comparing both groups, changes over time were not different, besides trends in the decrease in total cholesterol and TNF-alpha, in favor of the multidisciplinary intervention group. Combining the results of both groups, a correlation was found between the decrease in body fat percentage (BF%), and both HOMA2-IR and triglyceride (TG) concentrations.

CONCLUSION: In 3- to 5-y-old children, both obesity intervention programs improved insulin sensitivity, in parallel with a reduced BF%.