Threshold for Improvement in Insulin Sensitivity with Adolescent Weight Loss

Objectives To assess the association of weight loss and insulin sensitivity, glucose tolerance, and metabolic syndrome (MS) in obese adolescents following weight loss treatment, and to determine the threshold amount of weight loss required to observe improvements in these measures. Study design A randomized, controlled behavioral weight loss trial was conducted with 113 obese adolescents. Changes in fasting insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, whole body insulin sensitivity index (WBISI), body mass index (BMI), and MS criteria were assessed at baseline and at month 4. Results There was significant improvement in all measures of insulin sensitivity at month 4. Mean fasting insulin dropped from 22.3 to 16.6 μU/mL ( P