ESPE Abstracts

Aim: Childhood obesity is a global health issue linked to significant problems. Given the rising obesity rates, effective strategies are crucial. This study compares spexin levels in overweight/obese vs. non-obese children, assesses hyperphagia in obese children, and explores the link between metabolic syndrome features and spexin levels.

Materials and Methods: Between 2023-2024, Yeditepe University included children without syndromic, acute, or chronic diseases. The study had 50 overweight/obese (body mass index (BMI) >85th percentile) and 80 control children (BMI <85th percentile). Demographics, anthropometrics, and physical exams were collected. The study group completed a hyperphagia questionnaire, underwent obesity-related tests, spexin assessments, and abdominal ultrasonography. Spexin levels were measured in control group blood samples.

Results: The statistical analysis revealed no significant relationship between the level of speksin and gender, family history of obesity, hyperphagia questionnaire score, presence of acanthosis, high arterial blood pressure, lipid panel, plasma atherogenic index (PAI), fasting blood sugar, insulin level, and hepatosteatosis. A negative correlation was found between the level of speksin and body mass index percentile (P = 0.002), weight percentile (P = 0.025), age (P = 0.02), and waist circumference (P = 0.043). For obesity, the cutoff value of speksin was calculated as ≤1048.25 ng/L with 78% sensitivity and 50% specificity. There was a negative correlation between metabolic syndrome (MS) and speksin (P = 0.01). The cutoff value of speksin for MS was calculated as ≤721.45 ng/L with 100% sensitivity and 63% specificity. The hyperphagia questionnaire applied to overweight and obese cases showed a positive correlation with BMI standard deviation score, family history of obesity, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein level. PAI showed a positive correlation with insulin (P = 0.008), age (P = 0.035), waist circumference (P = 0.002), pubertal stage (P = 0.026), striae (P = 0.001), and total cholesterol (P <0.001).

Conclusion: Serum speksin levels are lower in overweight and obese children, particularly more so in obese individuals with metabolic syndrome. However, further advanced studies are needed to confirm these findings and determine possible causal relationships. This study may contribute to a better understanding of the impact of speksin levels on the development of obesity and metabolic syndrome, as well as assist in the development of new strategies involving the speksin molecule for the treatment of these diseases.