Serum zinc level and its relation to insulin resistance and lipid profile in childhood and adolescent obesity

Background Obesity is considered to be a worldwide health problem. Obese individuals are at a high risk of developing dyslipidemia, hypertension, impaired glucose tolerance, insulin resistance, and consequent increase of the risk of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. In obesity, elevated insulin resistance is observed, which may be associated with disturbances in zinc status in the body. The few studies concerning the status of zinc and its relationship with insulin resistance in obese children and adolescents have brought inconclusive results. Aims The aims of this work were to study the level of serum zinc in obese children and adolescents and to evaluate its potential relation to obesity, insulin resistance, and lipid profile. Patients and methods Thirty obese children and adolescents and 30 healthy controls aged 5–19 years were recruited for the study. Lipid profile, serum zinc, fasting plasma glucose, and fasting insulin were measured. Insulin resistance was calculated according to the homeostatic model of assessment for insulin resistance and quantitative insulin-sensitivity check index. Results Obese individuals had significantly higher serum triglycerides, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, fasting plasma glucose, fasting blood insulin, and homeostatic model of assessment for insulin resistance, whereas high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and quantitative insulin-sensitivity check index were significantly lower in obese children than in healthy controls (all P<0.05). The serum concentration of zinc was significantly lower in obese individuals compared with control. There was a positive significant correlation between serum zinc level and high-density lipoprotein (r=0.511, P<0.05). Conclusion Obese children and adolescents have a poorer zinc status than children and adolescents of normal weight, which may affect lipid profile.