Relationship of serum leptin levels with body mass index and gender

Objective To evaluate the relationship between hyperleptinemia, obesity and gender in males and females. Methods This was an observational study carried out at Shifa College of Medicine from January 2007 to June 2007. Serum leptin levels of ninety five healthy male and female subjects were measured. Height and weight was recorded and BMI was then calculated. Leptin levels were measured by DRG Leptin (sandwich) ELISA EIA- 2395. Results Serum leptin levels were significantly higher in the females (25.37 +/- 22.82 ng/ml) as compared to the males (11.12 +/- 10.68 ng/ml). They were also higher in the overweight and obese (BMI > 25kg /m(2)) individuals (26.78 +/- 19.13 ng/ml) as compared to the normal weight (BMI < 25kg/m(2)) subjects (6.30 +/- 5.06 ng/ml) (P value < 0.05). Conclusion Serum leptin levels of females were two times higher as compared to males. Overweight and obese individuals showed higher serum leptin levels as compared to lean and normal weight individuals. This indicates that gender and BMI are the major determinants of serum leptin levels.