Leptin-adiposity relationship changes, plus behavioral and parental factors, are involved in the development of body weight in a Dutch children cohort

Abstract Background The development of body weight is determined by different factors, namely genetic, behavioral, parental and physiological. Objective To investigate whether genetic, behavioral, parental and physiological factors are involved and the extent of involvement in the development of body weight at ages 12 and 13 y in a Dutch children cohort. Methods In a Dutch cohort of 94 children at ages 12 and 13 y, we determined anthropometric measurements, body composition, leptin concentrations, TFEQ scores, physical activity, as well as 3 polymorphisms, and in the parents we determined anthropometric measurements and TFEQ scores. Results 11% of the children in the cohort were classified as overweight. The genotype frequency distributions of the PPARy2, GRL and CNTF genes at ages 12 and 13 y were not significantly different for the overweight children compared to the lean children. Overweight children showed higher dietary restraint and disinhibition scores. Overweight children's parents had a higher BMI, dietary restraint and disinhibition scores, compared to lean children's parents. A peak in leptin concentrations between 7 and 13 y was shown at 12 y. In lean boys, the decrease in leptin concentrations between 12 and 13 y was related to an increase in fat free mass. At the age of 12 y predominantly the physiological factors were predictors for body weight, and at the age of 13 y both the physiological and behavioral factors were predictors for body weight. Conclusion We conclude from this longitudinal study, that leptin appeared to play an important role in the development of body weight during puberty, in addition to behavioral and parental factors.