Association between Leptin and Anthropometric Parameters, Lipid Profile and Energy and Macronutrients Intake in Young Subjects

Leptin is a peptide hormone and product of obesity gene which has effects on the food intake, regulation of the body adipose tissue and action of insulin. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between leptin and indicators of the obesity, lipid profile, energy and macronutrients intake among apparently healthy and young subjects.

In this cross-sectional study seventy eight subjects (37 males and 41 females) aged 20 to 32 years old were evaluated with respect to the anthropometric indices (waist circumference, body mass index, waist to hip ratio and waist to stature ratio), energy and macronutrients intake (by means of 3-day food record), fasting lipid profiles and blood sugar, leptin and insulin levels.

Females had significantly higher level of circulating leptin than the males (P<0.001); however circulating insulin (P=0.001) and insulin resistance (P=0.019) were higher in males. There was significant relationship between obesity indicators and leptin levels. However, after adjusting for confounders, only waist circumference, body mass index and total cholesterol had significant relationship with serum leptin level. There were no significant differences for energy intake from the macronutrients between the both genders. Conclusion Circulating leptin levels elevate with obesity in males and the body mass index is the best predictor of leptin.