Skip to main content
ARS Home » Plains Area » Houston, Texas » Children's Nutrition Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #270494
Title: Insulin resistance in children: consensus, perspective, and future directions

Author
item LEVY-MARCHAL, CLAIRE - Institut National De La Sante Et De La Recherche Medicale (INSERM)
item ARSLANIAN, SILVA - University Of Paris
item CUTFIELD, WAYNE - University Of Pittsburgh Medical Center
item SINAIKO, ALAN - University Of Auckland
item DRUET, CELINE - University Of Minnesota
item Haymond, Morey - Children'S Nutrition Research Center (CNRC)

Submitted to: Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/6/2010
Publication Date: 12/1/2010
Citation: Levy-Marchal, C., Arslanian, S., Cutfield, W., Sinaiko, A., Druet, C., et al. 2010. Insulin resistance in children: consensus, perspective, and future directions. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. 95:5189-5198.

Interpretive Summary: Emerging data indicate that insulin resistance is common among children and adolescents and is related to cardiometabolic risk. There is still confusion on how to define insulin resistance, how to measure it, what its risk factors are, and whether there are effective strategies to prevent and treat it. A conference was organized in order to clarify these points. The consensus was internationally supported by all the major scientific societies in pediatric endocrinology. The conference was divided into five themes and working groups: background and definition; methods of measurement and screening; risk factors and consequences; prevention; and treatment. During a 3-day meeting, these papers were debated and finalized by each group before presenting them to the full forum for further discussion and agreement. Given the current childhood obesity epidemic, insulin resistance in children is an important issue confronting health care professionals. There are no clear criteria to define insulin resistance in children, and surrogate markers such as fasting insulin are poor measures of insulin sensitivity. Based on current screening criteria and methodology, there is no justification for screening children for insulin resistance. Lifestyle interventions including diet and exercise can improve insulin sensitivity, whereas drugs should be implemented only in selected cases.

Technical Abstract: Emerging data indicate that insulin resistance is common among children and adolescents and is related to cardiometabolic risk, therefore requiring consideration early in life. However, there is still confusion on how to define insulin resistance, how to measure it, what its risk factors are, and whether there are effective strategies to prevent and treat it. A consensus conference was organized in order to clarify these points. The consensus was internationally supported by all the major scientific societies in pediatric endocrinology and 37 participants. An independent and systematic search of the literature was conducted to identify key articles relating to insulin resistance in children. The conference was divided into five themes and working groups: background and definition; methods of measurement and screening; risk factors and consequences; prevention; and treatment. Each group selected key issues, searched the literature, and developed a draft document. During a 3-d meeting, these papers were debated and finalized by each group before presenting them to the full forum for further discussion and agreement. Given the current childhood obesity epidemic, insulin resistance in children is an important issue confronting health care professionals. There are no clear criteria to define insulin resistance in children, and surrogate markers such as fasting insulin are poor measures of insulin sensitivity. Based on current screening criteria and methodology, there is no justification for screening children for insulin resistance. Lifestyle interventions including diet and exercise can improve insulin sensitivity, whereas drugs should be implemented only in selected cases.