Contrasting impact of androgens on male and female adiposity, fat distribution and insulin resistance in childhood and adolescence (EarlyBird 75)

Summary Objectives To investigate associations between androgens (testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate [DHEAS] and androstenedione), adiposity, fat distribution and insulin resistance (IR) during childhood and adolescence. Methods Three hundred and seven children (170 [55.4%] boys; 137 [44.6%] girls) recruited at age 5 and studied annually until age 16: androgens (liquid chromatography tandem‐mass spectrometry), anthropometry, body composition (dual‐energy x‐ray absorptiometry) and IR (homeostasis model assessment). Results Early adiposity was associated with earlier detection of androstenedione in both sexes, and DHEAS in boys. At puberty, higher androgen levels were associated with favourable metabolic changes in boys, but adverse metabolic effects in girls. In boys, higher free testosterone (FT) was associated with lower body fat and android/gynoid fat ratio (AGR) (both P