Assessment of adiponectin and leptin as biomarkers of positive metabolic outcomes after lifestyle intervention in overweight and obese children.

Background: A number of metabolic changes are caused by childhood obesity, including insulin resistance, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. To counteract them, lifestyle modification with changes in dietary habits and physical activity is the primary intervention. Anthropometric parameters may not identify all positive changes associated with lifestyle modifications, whereas circulating adipokines may represent an alternative as biomarkers.