ESPE Abstracts

Introduction: According to World Health Organization, in 2022 over 429 millions of children were obese. Insulin resistance is a resistance to the effects of insulin on glucose metabolism and measured by Homeostasis model assessment- Insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR). Previous studies suggested a correlation between body mass index (BMI) for age and sex with HOMA IR and advised using BMI as a surrogate marker for insulin resistance.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to determine correlation of BMI for age and sex and HOMA-IR in children aged 5 to 19 years.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of data obtained from overweight (BMI ≥ 85th to < 95th percentile for age and sex) and obese (BMI ≥ 95th percentile for age and sex) patients with no underlying medical conditions referred to Pediatric Clinic, University Clinical Centre Nis, Serbia between 1^st of January 2021 and 31^st of December 2023) with HOMA-IR above 3 and normal oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT).

Results: 484 overweight and obese patients were referred to our center. 112 patients (23.1 %) were diagnosed with insulin resistance, 56 boys and 56 girls. Average age was 14 years and 4 months, median 14 years and 8 months. Average BMI was 32.6 kg/m2, median 31.75 kg/m2. Average HOMA IR was 6.75, median 5. In Pearson’s Correlation test, correlation of BMI with HOMA-IR was weak (r = 0.1144, P = 0.22 with 95% Confidence interval for r). Average age for boys was 13 years and 11 months, with average BMI 31.88 kg/m2 and average HOMA IR 7. Correlation of BMI with HOMA-IR was weak (r = 0.1351, P = 0.32 with 95% Confidence interval for r). Average age for girls was 14 years and 9 months, while average BMI was 33.45 kg/m2 and average HOMA-IR 6.49. Correlation of BMI with HOMA-IR was weak (r = 0.1267, P = 0.35 with 95% Confidence interval for r). Further statistical analysis showed that there was no significant difference in correlation of BMI and HOMA-IR between boys and girls, nor between stages of obesity.

Conclusion: In our study there was weak correlation between BMI and HOMA-IR. Since insulin resistance plays pivotal role in pathogenesis of diabetes and cardiovascular disease, further studies are required in order to determine if BMI can be truly used a surrogate marker for insulin resistance.