Association of Serum Leptin With Visceral Adiposity and Insulin Resistance in Adults With Obesity
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61336/jdme.0602.04Keywords:
Leptin, obesity, visceral adiposity, insulin resistance, adipose tissue, metabolic riskAbstract
Leptin is an adipose-derived hormone involved in energy regulation and metabolic homeostasis. Circulating leptin concentrations increase with adiposity, but the relationship between leptin, visceral fat accumulation, and insulin resistance may vary among individuals with obesity. This study evaluated the association between serum leptin, visceral adiposity, and insulin resistance in adults with obesity. A cross-sectional observational study included 156 adults aged 30–65 years with BMI ≥30 kg/m². Anthropometric measurements, serum leptin, fasting glucose, fasting insulin, lipid profile, and inflammatory markers were assessed. Visceral adiposity was estimated using waist circumference and waist-to-height ratio, while HOMA-IR was used as a surrogate measure of insulin resistance. Participants with greater visceral adiposity had significantly higher serum leptin and HOMA-IR concentrations. Serum leptin demonstrated positive correlations with waist circumference, BMI, fasting insulin, and HOMA-IR. After adjustment for age, sex, BMI, and physical activity, leptin remained independently associated with HOMA-IR. These findings suggest that elevated circulating leptin is associated with visceral adiposity and insulin resistance among adults with obesity.
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