Abstract
Objective: Obesity is associated with bone age (BA) advancement, but the underlying mechanisms
remain unclear. The objective of this study was to investigate the association between
BA maturation and insulin levels in obese children.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study of 93 prepubertal obese children, anthropometric data
and hormonal values were measured. Subjects were divided into 2 groups based on the
difference between BA and chronological age (CA) (noted as BA-CA).
Results: The study population included 39 (41.9%) males and 54 (58.1%) females with a mean
age of 7.4±1.5 years. The advanced bone age group defined as BA-CA>1 year (n=44) had
significantly higher HOMA-IR and fasting insulin levels, and lower quantitative insulin
sensitivity check index (QUICKI). BA-CA was significantly correlated with fasting
insulin (r=0.255, P=0.014), HOMA-IR (r=0.230, P=0.027), and QUICKI (r=− 0.301, P=0.003). Also, height SDS was significantly associated with ΔBA-CA (r=0.417, P<0.001). In the multiple regression analysis, HOMA-IR was identified as a significant
independent predictor of BA-CA.
Conclusion: Bone age is more advanced in obese children with hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance.
These findings suggest that insulin may affect skeletal maturation.
Key words
insulin resistance - obesity - bone age