Relation of oxidized LDL to obesity and insulin resistance in children

Increased blood levels of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL) has been associated with obesity, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular disease in adults. Since little is known about its relation to insulin resistance and cardiovascular risk factors in children, Kelly and co-workers from University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, USA have assessed the relation of circulating oxidized LDL with adiposity and insulin resistance in children.

They found oxidized LDL levels to be significantly higher in overweight and obese children compared to normal weight children. Increased oxidized LDL levels also correlated with increased BMI, percent body fat, waist circumference, percent trunk fat, abdominal visceral fat, and abdominal subcutaneous fat. The authors conclude that oxidized LDL is associated with adiposity and insulin resistance, independent of body fatness, in children and that oxidative stress may be independently related to the development of insulin resistance early in life, especially in obese youth.

You can download the abstract when clicking on the following link: Kelly et al. (2010) Relation of circulating oxidized LDL to obesity and insulin resistance in children. Pediatr Diabetes Jan 19. [Epub ahead of print]