Abstract
Experimental animal studies demonstrate the effects of leptin on appetite, weight gain and metabolism. The biological effects of leptin in human adults are still to be determined, but recent reports show that congenital leptin deficiency leads to hyperphagia and excessive weight gain from early infancy as well as failure of pubertal onset in adolescence. Our recently reported data from two longitudinal cohorts suggest a role for leptin in the normal regulation of childhood weight gain, maturation and the development of secondary sexual features and body composition. Low leptin levels in cord blood closely reflected decreased adiposity at birth and strongly predicted high rates of weight gain in infancy and catch-up growth. In adolescents, leptin levels rose gradually with age prior to puberty, suggesting that a threshold effect may trigger puberty. In girls, low leptin levels at the start of puberty predicted large gains in the percentage of fat mass, perhaps suggesting a role in the preparation for childbearing.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
More From: Acta paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992). Supplement
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.