Abstract
Aim: To investigate the relationship between serum phosphate levels with obesity and insulin resistance in childhood.
Methods: A total of 298 children and adolescents (190 obese subjects and 108 controls) were included in the study. Serum glucose, insulin, phosphate, calcium and alkaline phosphatase levels were measured after 12 h fasting at 08:00–08:30 h. We assessed insulin sensitivity by using the HOMA-IR (homeostasis model of insulin resistance) index as a surrogate marker of insulin resistance.
Results: Serum levels of phosphate were significantly lower in the 6- to 12-year-old obese subjects than controls (p=0.02, p<0.05). At the same time, there was a moderate negative correlation between serum phosphate levels and the HOMA-IR index in the 6- to 12-year-old IR (–) obese children (r=–0.26, p=0.02).
Conclusions: Low serum phosphate levels could contribute to the development of insulin resistance in 6- to 12-year-old obese children.
©2011 by Walter de Gruyter Berlin New York
