[Distribution of HOMA-IR among children and adolescent in Zhangzhou and Zhongshan cities].

Objective: To investigate the distribution of the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) among children and adolescent in Zhangzhou city and Zhongshan city.

Methods: Total of 3102 children and adolescent aged 6 to 18-year-old were recruited, which were enrolled in a population-based cross-sectional study. Anthropometric and biochemical parameters were measured.

Results: A total of 1528 (49.26%) girls and 1574 (50.74%) boys were included in this study. The concentrations of insulin and fasting glucose gradually increased from 6 to 18 years of age, there was no statistical difference between boys ang girls. The mean values for the BMI were similar in age-matched boys and girls from 6 to 18-year-old ,but for 12 to 15-year-old children was significantly higher in the girls compared with the boys and conversely for 16 to 18-year-old (P < 0.05). The HOMA-IR gradually increased with age and reached a plateau at 12 years of age and there was no markedly differential in gender.

Conclusion: The glucose levels, insulin concentrations and HOMA-IR exhibited a gradual increase with age. It was suggested that the evaluation of IR in children should be based on percentiles of the HOMA-IR rather than a dichotomous value derived from a single cutoff point.