Indices of insulin resistance in paediatric obesity

Background: Paediatric obesity is associated with insulin resistance (IR), which increases risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Hyperinsulinaemic-euglycaemic clamp and minimal-model analysis frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test (FSIVGTT) are used to assess IR, which are invasive, complex and expensive. Objective: To assess IR using the derived indices namely, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMAIR),fasting glucose-to-insulin ratio (FGIR), quantitative insulin-sensitivity check index (QUICKI), in obese children. Methods: Fifty obese children (cases) and 50 apparently healthy age-and gender- matched non- obese children(controls) were studied. Obese children with body mass index (BMI; Kg/m2) greater than 95th percentile and nonobese children with BMI between 5th to 95th percentile were included in the study. Results: Obese children had higher fasting insulin levels, HOMA-IR (p