Circadian metabolic rhythms in obese children.

Obese children display constant hyperinsulinism and, frequently, hyperphagia. In animals, lesions of the hypothalamic system affect simultaneously the circadian rhythm of insulin secretion and of food intake. In this study, circadian metabolic rhythm was examined in obese and non-obese children, by two different protocols.

[Plasma insulin, C-peptide and glucose concentrations in type I diabetic children after a morning injection of insulin (author's transl)].

Plasma levels of insulin, C-peptide and glucose were monitored for 24 hours after a single injection of a mixture of regular and protamine zinc insulin in 22 diabetic children. Results were compared with those in 7 control children. They indicate that plasma insulin in diabetic children is similar or higher than that in controls over the entire time of survey.