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Long-term glucocorticoid concentrations as a risk factor for childhood obesity and adverse body-fat distribution

International Journal of Obesity volume 40, pages 1503–1509 (2016)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Background:

Childhood obesity is an important risk factor for premature development of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) at adulthood. There is need for understanding of the mechanisms underlying the MetS and obesity. Patients with Cushing’s disease suffer from similar metabolic complications, leading to the hypothesis that inter-individual cortisol variation may contribute to the onset of obesity. In addition, glucocorticoid receptor (GR)-gene polymorphisms resulting in differential glucocorticoid (GC) sensitivity, have been associated with an adverse metabolic profile.

Aim:

To study associations of GC levels in scalp hair, as a marker of long-term systemic GC concentrations, and genetically determined GC sensitivity with obesity and body-fat distribution in children.

Methods:

We performed a cross-sectional study of cortisol and cortisone concentrations over a 3-month period, measured by LC-MS/MS (Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry) in hair of 3019 6-year-old children participating in the Generation R study. Genotyping of GR-gene polymorphisms was performed.

Results:

Of all children, 4.3% was obese and 13.4% overweight. Cortisol was significantly associated with risk of obesity (odd ratio (OR): 9.4 (3.3–26.9)) and overweight (OR: 1.4 (1.0–2.0)). Cortisone was associated with risk of obesity (OR: 1.9 (1.0–3.5)). Cortisol and cortisone were significantly positively associated with body mass index, fat mass (FM) index and android/gynecoid FM ratio. GR polymorphisms were not associated with adiposity parameters.

Conclusion:

Long-term cortisol concentrations are strongly associated with an increased risk of childhood obesity and adverse body-fat distribution. Future research may reveal whether these are causal relations and may be a target for therapy.

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful for the financial support by the Thrasher Research Fund (Grant TRF-11643), which enabled this research project. The general design of Generation R Study is made possible by financial support from the Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Erasmus University Rotterdam, the Netherlands Organization for Health Research and Development (ZonMw), the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO), the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport and the Ministry of Youth and Families. Vincent Jaddoe received an additional grant from the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO, ZonMW-VIDI). Elisabeth van Rossum is additionally supported by a grant of the Netherlands Brain Foundation (F2011(1)-12) and an Erasmus MC Fellowship. The analytical support of Mrs. Kristien Dorst has been greatly appreciated.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

    G Noppe, Y B de Rijke, J W Koper & E F C van Rossum

  2. Obesity Center CGG, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

    G Noppe, E L T van den Akker, Y B de Rijke, J W Koper & E F C van Rossum

  3. The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

    G Noppe & V W Jaddoe

  4. Department of Pediatrics, Sophia Children's Hospital, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

    E L T van den Akker & V W Jaddoe

  5. Department of Clinical Chemistry, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

    Y B de Rijke

  6. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

    V W Jaddoe

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Correspondence to E F C van Rossum.

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Noppe, G., van den Akker, E., de Rijke, Y. et al. Long-term glucocorticoid concentrations as a risk factor for childhood obesity and adverse body-fat distribution. Int J Obes 40, 1503–1509 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1038/ijo.2016.113

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