Adiponectin moderates the relationship between adiposity and leptin in adolescents regardless of gender or race.

Objectives: To determine gender or race differences in associations between adiposity and leptin, and whether adiponectin moderates these relationships.

Methods: Subjects were 441 adolescents, 14-18 years old (44% black, 56% white; 50% female, 50% male). Percent body fat (%BF) was measured with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Leptin and adiponectin were measured using immunoassays.

Results: Among the four groups (white boys, white girls, black boys and black girls), white girls had the highest adiponectin (p = 0.0017) and black girls had the highest leptin (p = 0.0164). Percent BF and leptin were positively correlated (p = 0.0164). The %BF-leptin relationship was stronger in boys than girls (p < 0.0001). Those with lower adiponectin had a stronger %BF-leptin relationship than those with high adiponectin in the entire sample (p = 0.0220). Statistical models were adjusted for age, race, gender and the interaction between race and gender.

Conclusion: Our data suggest a protective metabolic interaction for adiponectin and lend additional support for obesity prevention strategies in adolescents.