The effect of skinfold thickness on some neuromediators, hormones and complications of obesity in android-type and gynecoid-type obesity

INTRODUCTION: Obesity is a disease with a gradually increasing incidence in the last century, causing many long-term complications. The objective of this study was to determine if a difference exists between central and peripheral obesity in terms of gender and development of complications and to find the best anthropometric or biochemical marker for complications of obesity.MATERIAL-METHOD: Totally 65 patients (41 female, 24 male) with body mass index (BMI) higher than the 95th percentile according to age and gender and pubertal stage of 4-5 who presented to polyclinic at Karadeniz Technical University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pediatric Endocrinology on 06.01.2010 to 12.01.2010 were included in the study. Anthropometric measurements (height, weight, skinfold thickness, waist and hip circumference) of the patients were performed. Male patients with a waist/hip circumference ratio higher than 0.95 and female patients with a waist/hip circumference ratio higher than 0.85 were considered to have central obesity, whereas patients with lower ratios were considered to have peripheral obesity. Blood tests including thyroid function tests, lipids, glucose, insulin, ghrelin, leptin, adiponectin, resistin, CRP, interleukin 1 ? and ß levels were performed. The patients were given diet and exercise treatment. Metformin was added to treatment in patients with insulin resistance. Patients were then called for monthly follow-up visit. Anthropometric measurements were repeated in each follow-up visit. At the end of the third month, the blood tests were repeated.RESULTS: At the first presentation, central obesity was found with a higher rate in female patients (p=0.002). Weight reduction was found in 27 (67.5%) of 40 patients who came for follow-up visits. No difference was found in BMIs between the baseline value and the value at the end of the third month in patients who came for follow-up visits ?BMI (BMI at the endof the third month ? baseline BMI) values in patients with central obesity were higher than those in the patients with peripheral obesity. Waist-hip ratio was found to be significantly higher in patients with central obesity compared to patients with peripheral obesity (p=0.06). While no marked difference was found in fat mass in patients with weight reduction, a significant decrease was found in triceps skinfold thicknesses (p=0.024) and suprailiac skinfold thicknesses (p=0.002). HDL (p=0.009) and total cholesterol (P=0.009) increased significantly in patients with weight reduction, whereas glucose decreased significantly (P=0.022). Free T4 was increased (P=0.009) and TSH was decreased statistically significantly (P=0.025) in patients with weight reduction.CONCLUSION: Anthropometric measurements can be inexpensive and practical markers that will help in the early diagnosis of complications of obesity, facilitate their follow up and that can be used widely. More studies should be performed in this field.