Ghrelin levels are negatively correlated with waist circumference,in obese children and adolescents

Increased abdominal fat may lead to the development of metabolic syndrome in children and has been strongly associated with insulin resistance. ghrelin hormone plays an important role in the regulation of food intake and body weight. ghrelin levels are influenced by body fat and possibly insulin resistance (ir). the aims of this study were to determine fasting ghrelin levels of obese children and to investigate possible correlations between ghrelin hormones with waist circumference and insulin levels. this was a cross sectional study. eighty obese children ranging from 5 to 18 years of age were recruited from the pediatric clinic of shalamar hospital,lahore. fasting ghrelin levels were negatively correlated with waist circumference,insulin,homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance (homa-ir),and bmi. the results suggest that negative correlation of ghrelin secretion with waist circumference may lead to higher insulin resistance in these children associated with increased abdominal fat accumulation.