SEX-DISCORDANT ASSOCIATION OF ADIPONECTIN IN OBESE AND NON-OBESE PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN

Background: Adiponectin is an adipocytokine with antidiabetic and antiatherogenic effects. The objective of this study was to determine plasma adiponectin concentration in children and to evaluate association of adiponectin with gender, obesity and lipid profile. Material & Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in Department of Chemistry, Gomal University, D.I. Khan, from June 2007 to August 2010. Eighty-three school children (6-11 years age) were randomly selected among 1336 children. Height, weight and BMI of each child was calculated. Fasting blood sample was taken for plasma adiponectin by ELISA. Results: Out of 83 children 23(27.71%) were normal weight and 60 (72.28%) obese children. Gender-wise 48(57.83%) were boys and 35(42.16%) girls. Plasma adiponectin in normal weight children was within laboratory range. It was 21.50 mu g/ml and 20.89 mu g/ml in boys and girls respectively reflecting non-significant gender difference. In obese children it was 20.38 mu g/ml and 25.56 mu g/ml in boys and girls respectively, showing significant gender difference (p < 0.01). There was no significant difference between adiponectin concentration of normal weight and obese boys (p > 0.05), however, obese girls had significantly higher levels compared to normal weight girls (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Significant difference in plasma adiponectin level was noted in obese and normal weight girls. Sex-discordant association with adiponectin was observed mostly in obese boys and girls and expressed favorable lipoprotein levels.