Elevated Leptin Levels Are Associated with Excess Gains in Fat Mass in Girls, But Not Boys, with Type 1 Diabetes: Longitudinal Study during Adolescence

Abstract

Adolescents, in particular girls, with type 1 diabetes may gain excessive weight during puberty. We present the results of a longitudinal study aimed to determine the roles of leptin and insulin in changes in body composition in subjects with type 1 diabetes and controls. Forty-six children (23 boys) with type 1 diabetes and 40 controls (20 boys) were followed from 8–17 yr of age. Height, weight, and sc skinfolds were assessed every 6 months, and a blood sample taken for leptin determination. Throughout the age range, body mass index (mean ± sem) was greater by 1.45 ± 0.69 kg/m2 in girls and 1.46 ± 0.55 kg/m2 in boys with type 1 diabetes compared with control values. In girls with type 1 diabetes, this reflected greater percent body fat (3.2 ± 1.0%; P = 0.002), whereas in boys it related to differences in fat-free mass. Both boys and girls with type 1 diabetes had higher leptin levels adjusted for percent body fat than controls; in the girls this was related to insulin dose (regression coefficient B = 0.006 ± 0.003; P = 0.04) and greater gains in fat mass. Hyperinsulinemia and raised leptin levels are associated with gains in fat mass throughout puberty in girls, but not boys, with type 1 diabetes.