Correlation of HOMA-IR with BMI-for-age percentile in children and adolescents from the Soconusco region of Chiapas, Mexico

Abstract

Introduction: Insulin resistance (IR) is a major risk factor for developing diabetes mellitus type 2 and cardiovascular diseases. In pediatrics, morbidity and mortality associated with these diseases highlights the diagnostic importance of IR for primary care.Objective: To determine Homeostatic Model Assessment Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) values and their correlation with BMI-for-age percentile in children and adolescents of the Soconusco region of Chiapas, Mexico.Materials and methods: Cross-sectional study. Overweight and obesity prevalence was determined based on the Body Mass Index (BMI) percentile of 112 children (5-19 years old). Glucose and fasting insulin values were quantified and used for estimation of HOMA-IR.Results: The combined prevalence of obesity and overweight was 66%, with insulin (p=0.010) and HOMA-IR (p=0.015) values higher than those of the normal weight group. The HOMA-IR values correlated positively with age (r=0.636), weight (r=0.569), height (r=0.578) and BMI percentile (r=0.198).Conclusions: In the study population, HOMA-IR has a moderately significant correlation with an increase in BMI percentile.