ESPE Abstracts

Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the associations of metabolic status and eating behavior (EB) in young children and variants of energy metabolism genes.

Materials and Methods: A longitudinal study of 106 children in the dynamics of the first 2 years of life was carried out. Groups of children were identified taking into account BW at birth (large-weight by gestation (n=50), underweight by gestation (n=31) and corresponding to the term (n=25)) and during questioning (with excess (n=37) and normal weight (n=69)). Variants of the genes for leptin (LEP), leptin receptor (LEPR), adiponectin (ADIPOQ), insulin (INS), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ), lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Parents were surveyed using the CEBQ questionnaire (Wardle, 2001) to study PP in young children. When analyzing the results of answers to 35 questions. The calculation and evaluation of indicators of physical development were carried out using the WHO Anthro program. Additionally, body mass index, fasting glucose and serum leptin were determined at birth and at 2 years of age.

Results: Associations with MT at birth were established for the GG genotype of the IL-6 gene in the groups of small and normal weight by gestational age (P=0.050 and P=0.039). Analysis of the scales of the eating behavior questionnaire showed significant differences in indicators that contribute to the development of obesity. Carriers of the AA genotype of the INS gene had higher scores on the "desire to drink" criterion (P=0.033). The “feeling of satiety” parameter in children with the GC genotype of the IL-6 gene was 3 (3–4) points, GG 3 (3–4), CC 4 (3–4) points (P=0.046). The “emotional malnutrition” indicator in IL-6 gene GC genotype owners was 3 (2–4), GG 3 (3–4), CC 4 (3–4) points (P=0.007). Significant differences were established by the criterion of "emotional overeating", the level of glucose and leptin for the LEPR gene (P=0.045, P=0.024, P=0.041 respectively). Cord blood leptin was not associated with EB at 2 years of age. An analysis of the distribution of gene variants in 37 overweight children and 69 infants of the comparison group revealed an association with overweight of the rs2167270 variant of the LEP gene (P=0.022), serum leptin levels at 2 years of age (P=0.034).

Conclusion: The results obtained indicate the importance of hereditary factors in the anthropometric and metabolic status and the formation of eating behavior in young children.