Hyperglucagonemia in youth is associated with high plasma free fatty acids, visceral adiposity, and impaired glucose tolerance.

Objective: To delineate potential mechanisms for fasting hyperglucagonemia in childhood obesity by studying the associations between fasting plasma glucagon concentrations and plasma lipid parameters and fat compartments.

Methods: Cross-sectional study of children and adolescents with obesity (n = 147) and lean controls (n = 43). Differences in free fatty acids (FFAs), triglycerides, insulin, and fat compartments (quantified by magnetic resonance imaging) across quartiles of fasting plasma glucagon concentration were analyzed.