Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Original Article
  • Published:

Serum leptin and loss of control eating in children and adolescents

International Journal of Obesity volume 38, pages 397–403 (2014)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Background:

Both insufficiency and resistance to the actions of the adipocyte-derived hormone leptin promote hunger, increased food intake and greater body weight. Some studies suggest that adults reporting binge eating have increased serum leptin compared with those without binge eating, even after adjusting for the greater adiposity that characterizes binge eaters. Pediatric binge or loss of control (LOC) eating are prospective risk factors for excessive weight gain and may predict development of metabolic abnormalities, but whether LOC eating is associated with higher leptin among children is unknown. We therefore examined leptin and LOC eating in a pediatric cohort.

Methods:

A convenience sample of 506 lean and obese youth (7–18 years) was recruited from Washington, DC and its suburbs. Serum leptin was collected after an overnight fast. Adiposity was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry or air displacement plethysmography. LOC eating was assessed by interview methodology.

Results:

Leptin was strongly associated with fat mass (r=0.79, P<0.001). However, even after adjusting for adiposity and other relevant covariates, youth with LOC eating had higher serum leptin compared with those without LOC episodes (15.42±1.05 vs 12.36±1.04 ng ml−1, P<0.001). Neither reported amount of food consumed during a recent LOC episode nor number of LOC episodes in the previous month accounted for differences in leptin (P>0.05). The relationship between LOC eating and leptin appeared to be significant for females only (P=0.002).

Conclusions:

Reports of LOC eating were associated with higher fasting leptin in youth, beyond the contributions of body weight. Prospective studies are required to elucidate whether LOC eating promotes greater leptin or whether greater leptin resistance may promote LOC eating.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

  • Purchase on Springer Link
  • Instant access to full article PDF
Buy now

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Figure 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Zhang Y, Proenca R, Maffei M, Barone M, Leopold L, Friedman JM . Positional cloning of the mouse obese gene and its human homologue. Nature 1994; 372: 425–432.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Wang Q, Bing C, Al-Barazanji K, Mossakowaska DE, Wang XM, McBay DL et al. Interactions between leptin and hypothalamic neuropeptide Y neurons in the control of food intake and energy homeostasis in the rat. Diabetes 1997; 46: 335–341.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. McDuffie JR, Riggs PA, Calis KA, Freedman RJ, Oral EA, DePaoli AM et al. Effects of exogenous leptin on satiety and satiation in patients with lipodystrophy and leptin insufficiency. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2004; 89: 4258–4263.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Yadav VK, Oury F, Suda N, Liu ZW, Gao XB, Confavreux C et al. A serotonin-dependent mechanism explains the leptin regulation of bone mass, appetite, and energy expenditure. Cell 2009; 138: 976–989.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Friedman JM . The function of leptin in nutrition, weight, and physiology. Nutr Rev 2002; 60: S1–14 discussion S68-84, 85-7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Adami GF, Campostano A, Cella F, Scopinaro N . Serum leptin concentration in obese patients with binge eating disorder. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord 2002; 26: 1125–1128.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Kolaczynski JW, Ohannesian JP, Considine RV, Marco CC, Caro JF . Response of leptin to short-term and prolonged overfeeding in humans. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1996; 81: 4162–4165.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Knight ZA, Hannan KS, Greenberg ML, Friedman JM . Hyperleptinemia is required for the development of leptin resistance. PloS One 2010; 5: e11376.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Fleisch AF, Agarwal N, Roberts MD, Han JC, Theim KR, Vexler A et al. Influence of serum leptin on weight and body fat growth in children at high risk for adult obesity. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2007; 92: 948–954.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Feuillan PP, Ng D, Han JC, Sapp JC, Wetsch K, Spaulding E et al. Patients with Bardet-Biedl syndrome have hyperleptinemia suggestive of leptin resistance. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2011; 96: E528–E535.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Kopp W, Blum WF, Ziegler A, Mathiak K, Lubbert H, Herpertz S et al. Serum leptin and body weight in females with anorexia and bulimia nervosa. Horm Metab Res 1998; 30: 272–275.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Jimerson DC, Wolfe BE, Carroll DP, Keel PK . Psychobiology of purging disorder: reduction in circulating leptin levels in purging disorder in comparison with controls. Int J Eat Disord 2010; 43: 584–588.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Monteleone P, Di Lieto A, Tortorella A, Longobardi N, Maj M . Circulating leptin in patients with anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa or binge-eating disorder: relationship to body weight, eating patterns, psychopathology and endocrine changes. Psychiatry Res 2000; 94: 121–129.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Tomiyama AJ, Schamarek I, Lustig RH, Kirschbaum C, Puterman E, Havel PJ et al. Leptin concentrations in response to acute stress predict subsequent intake of comfort foods. Physiol Behav 2012; 107: 34–39.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. d’Amore A, Massignan C, Montera P, Moles A, De Lorenzo A, Scucchi S . Relationship between dietary restraint, binge eating, and leptin in obese women. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord 2001; 25: 373–377.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Taylor AE, Hubbard J, Anderson EJ . Impact of binge eating on metabolic and leptin dynamics in normal young women. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1999; 84: 428–434.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Geliebter A, Yahav EK, Gluck ME, Hashim SA . Gastric capacity, test meal intake, and appetitive hormones in binge eating disorder. Physiol Behav 2004; 81: 735–740.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Karhunen L, Haffner S, Lappalainen R, Turpeinen A, Miettinen H, Uusitupa M . Serum leptin and short-term regulation of eating in obese women. Clin Sci (Lond) 1997; 92: 573–578.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Tanofsky-Kraff M, Marcus MD, Yanovski SZ, Yanovski JA . Loss of control eating disorder in children age 12 years and younger: proposed research criteria. Eat Behav 2008; 9: 360–365.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Tanofsky-Kraff M, Shomaker LB, Stern EA, Miller R, Sebring N, Dellavalle D et al. Children’s binge eating and development of metabolic syndrome. Int J Obes 2012; 36: 956–962.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Glasofer DR, Tanofsky-Kraff M, Eddy KT, Yanovski SZ, Theim KR, Mirch MC et al. Binge eating in overweight treatment-seeking adolescents. J Pediatr Psychol 2007; 32: 95–105.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Tanofsky-Kraff M, Yanovski SZ, Wilfley DE, Marmarosh C, Morgan CM, Yanovski JA . Eating-disordered behaviors, body fat, and psychopathology in overweight and normal-weight children. J Consult Clin Psychol 2004; 72: 53–61.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Tanofsky-Kraff M, Faden D, Yanovski SZ, Wilfley DE, Yanovski JA . The perceived onset of dieting and loss of control eating behaviors in overweight children. Int J Eat Disord 2005; 38: 112–122.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Tanofsky-Kraff M, Yanovski SZ, Schvey NA, Olsen CH, Gustafson J, Yanovski JA . A prospective study of loss of control eating for body weight gain in children at high risk for adult obesity. Int J Eat Disord 2009; 42: 26–30.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Field AE, Austin SB, Taylor CB, Malspeis S, Rosner B, Rockett HR et al. Relation between dieting and weight change among preadolescents and adolescents. Pediatrics 2003; 112: 900–906.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Tanofsky-Kraff M, Cohen ML, Yanovski SZ, Cox C, Theim KR, Keil M et al. A prospective study of psychological predictors of body fat gain among children at high risk for adult obesity. Pediatrics 2006; 117: 1203–1209.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Munoz MT, Argente J . Anorexia nervosa in female adolescents: endocrine and bone mineral density disturbances. Eur J Endocrinol 2002; 147: 275–286.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Jimerson DC, Mantzoros C, Wolfe BE, Metzger ED . Decreased serum leptin in bulimia nervosa. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2000; 85: 4511–4514.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Stunkard AJ, Messick S . The three-factor eating questionnaire to measure dietary restraint, disinhibition and hunger. J Psychosom Res 1985; 29: 71–83.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Laessle RG, Wurmser H, Pirke KM . Restrained eating and leptin levels in overweight preadolescent girls. Physiol Behav 2000; 70: 45–47.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Yanovski SZ, Leet M, Yanovski JA, Flood M, Gold PW, Kissileff HR et al. Food selection and intake of obese women with binge-eating disorder. Am J Clin Nutr 1992; 56: 975–980.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Fairburn CG, Cooper Z . The Eating Disorders Examination. In: Fairburn CG, Wilson GT, (eds) Binge Eating: Nature, Assessment, & Treatment 12th edn Guilford: New York, NY, USA, 1993. pp 317–360.

    Google Scholar 

  33. Bryant-Waugh RJ, Cooper PJ, Taylor CL, Lask BD . The use of the eating disorder examination with children: a pilot study. Int J Eat Disord 1996; 19: 391–397.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Christie D, Watkins B, Lask BD . Assessment. In: Lask B, Bryant-Waugh R, (eds) Anorexia Nervosa and Related Eating Disorders in Childhood and Adolescence 2nd edn Psychology Press: Hove, East Sussex, UK, 2000. pp 105–125.

    Google Scholar 

  35. Nicholson JC, McDuffie JR, Bonat SH, Russell DL, Boyce KA, McCann S et al. Estimation of body fatness by air displacement plethysmography in African American and white children. Pediatr Res 2001; 50: 467–473.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Kuczmarski RJ, Ogden CL, Grummer-Strawn LM, Flegal KM, Guo SS, Wei R et al. CDC growth charts: United States. Advance data 2000; 314: 1–27.

    Google Scholar 

  37. Robotham DR, Schoeller DA, Mercado AB, Mirch MC, Theim KR, Reynolds JC et al. Estimates of body fat in children by Hologic QDR-2000 and QDR-4500 A dual-energy X-ray absorptiometers compared with deuterium dilution. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2006; 42: 331–335.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Tanner JM . Growth and maturation during adolescence. Nutr Rev 1981; 39: 43–55.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Marshall WA, Tanner JM . Variations in pattern of pubertal changes in girls. Arch Dis Child 1969; 44: 291–303.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Marshall WA, Tanner JM . Variations in the pattern of pubertal changes in boys. Arch Dis Child 1970; 45: 13–23.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Behrens JT . Principles and procedures of exploratory data analysis. Psychol Methods 1997; 2: 131–160.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. Hollingshead AB . Hollingshead two factor index of social position (1957). In: Miller DC, (ed) Handbook of Research Design and Social Measurement 5th edn Sage Publications: Newbury Park, CA, USA, 1991. pp 351–359.

    Google Scholar 

  43. Quinton ND, Smith RF, Clayton PE, Gill MS, Shalet S, Justice SK et al. Leptin binding activity changes with age: the link between leptin and puberty. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1999; 84: 2336–2341.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Arnow B, Kenardy J, Agras WS . Binge eating among the obese: a descriptive study. J Behav Med 1992; 15: 155–170.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Adam TC, Epel ES . Stress eating and the reward system. Physiol Behav 2007; 91: 449–458.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. Figlewicz DP, Benoit SC . Insulin, leptin, and food reward: update 2008. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 2009; 296: R9–R19.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. Goldschmidt AB, Tanofsky-Kraff M, Goossens L, Eddy KT, Ringham R, Yanovski SZ et al. Subtyping children and adolescents with loss of control eating by negative affect and dietary restraint. Behav Res Ther 2008; 46: 777–787.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  48. Shomaker LB, Tanofsky-Kraff M, Elliott C, Wolkoff LE, Columbo KM, Ranzenhofer LM et al. Salience of loss of control for pediatric binge episodes: does size really matter? Int J Eat Disord 2010; 43: 707–716.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  49. Tanofsky-Kraff M, McDuffie JR, Yanovski SZ, Kozlosky M, Schvey NA, Shomaker LB et al. Laboratory assessment of the food intake of children and adolescents with loss of control eating. Am J Clin Nutr 2009; 89: 738–745.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  50. Hickey MS, Israel RG, Gardiner SN, Considine RV, McCammon MR, Tyndall GL et al. Gender differences in serum leptin levels in humans. Biochem Mol Med 1996; 59: 1–6.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  51. Vettor R, De Pergola G, Pagano C, Englaro P, Laudadio E, Giorgino F et al. Gender differences in serum leptin in obese people: relationships with testosterone, body fat distribution and insulin sensitivity. Eur J Clin Invest 1997; 27: 1016–1024.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  52. Wabitsch M, Blum WF, Muche R, Braun M, Hube F, Rascher W et al. Contribution of androgens to the gender difference in leptin production in obese children and adolescents. J Clin Invest 1997; 100: 808–813.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  53. Herman CP, Polivy J . Anxiety, restraint, and eating behavior. J Abnorm Psychol 1975; 84: 66–72.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  54. Tanofsky-Kraff M, Shomaker LB, Olsen C, Roza CA, Wolkoff LE, Columbo KM et al. A prospective study of pediatric loss of control eating and psychological outcomes. J Abnorm Psychol 2011; 120: 108–118.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  55. Decaluwé V, Braet C . Prevalence of binge-eating disorder in obese children and adolescents seeking weight-loss treatment. Int J Obes 2003; 27: 404–409.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  56. Croll J, Neumark-Sztainer D, Story M, Ireland M . Prevalence and risk and protective factors related to disordered eating behaviors among adolescents: relationship to gender and ethnicity. J Adolesc Health 2002; 31: 166–175.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  57. Stice E, Cameron RP, Killen JD, Hayward C, Taylor CB . Naturalistic weight-reduction efforts prospectively predict growth in relative weight and onset of obesity among female adolescents. J Consult Clin Psychol 1999; 67: 967–974.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  58. Field AE, Javaras KM, Aneja P, Kitos N, Camargo CA Jr., Taylor CB et al. Family, peer, and media predictors of becoming eating disordered. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2008; 162: 574–579.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  59. Chapelot D, Aubert R, Marmonier C, Chabert M, Louis-Sylvestre J . An endocrine and metabolic definition of the intermeal interval in humans: evidence for a role of leptin on the prandial pattern through fatty acid disposal. Am J Clin Nutr 2000; 72: 421–431.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  60. Huang L, Wang Z, Li C . Modulation of circulating leptin levels by its soluble receptor. J Biol Chem 2001; 276: 6343–6349.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This research was supported by National Research Service Award 1F32HD056762 from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) (to LBS), Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences grant R072IC (to MTK), National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease (NIDDK) grant 5R01DK080906-04 (to MTK) and Intramural Research Program Grant 1ZIAHD000641 from the NICHD, with supplemental funding from the Division of Nutrition Research Coordination, the National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities and the Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (to JAY). JAY is a Commissioned Officer in the US Public Health Service, Department of Health and Human Services. The funding organizations played no role in the design and conduct of the study; the collection, management, analysis and interpretation of data; or the preparation or review of the manuscript. Drs Yanovski and Tanofsky-Kraff take full responsibility for the work as a whole, including the study design, access to data and the decision to submit and publish the manuscript.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Section on Growth and Obesity, Program in Developmental Endocrinology and Genetics, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), National Institutes of Health (NIH), DHHS, Hatfield Clinical Research Center, Bethesda, MD, USA

    R Miller, M Tanofsky-Kraff, L B Shomaker, S E Field, L Hannallah, S A Reina, M Mooreville, N Sedaka, S M Brady, T Condarco, S Z Yanovski & J A Yanovski

  2. Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA

    R Miller, M Tanofsky-Kraff, L B Shomaker, S E Field & L Hannallah

  3. Nuclear Medicine Department, Hatfield Clinical Center, Bethesda, MD, USA

    J C Reynolds

  4. Division of Digestive Diseases and Nutrition, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Bethesda, MD, USA

    S Z Yanovski

Authors
  1. R Miller
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. M Tanofsky-Kraff
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. L B Shomaker
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. S E Field
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. L Hannallah
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. S A Reina
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. M Mooreville
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. N Sedaka
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. S M Brady
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  10. T Condarco
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  11. J C Reynolds
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  12. S Z Yanovski
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  13. J A Yanovski
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to J A Yanovski.

Ethics declarations

Competing interests

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Miller, R., Tanofsky-Kraff, M., Shomaker, L. et al. Serum leptin and loss of control eating in children and adolescents. Int J Obes 38, 397–403 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1038/ijo.2013.126

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/ijo.2013.126

Keywords

This article is cited by

Search

Advanced search

Quick links