Metabolic phenotype in obese children and adolescents with preserved insulin sensitivity

Rising prevalence of childhood obesity is accompanied by the increased risk of associated metabolic complications and other comorbidities. Nevertheless, a distinct subgroup of the obese appear to have a normal metabolic phenotype, and these individuals are referred to as the metabolically healthy obese. Prevalence of metabolically healthy individuals within the population of the obese is estimated up to 44%. Metabolically healthy obese are at lesser risk for impaired glucose regulation, dyslipidemia, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and hypertension, and the preserved insulin sensitivity is the most frequently used criterion in identification of these individuals. Results of the research conducted in Institute for Mother and Child Health Care of Serbia 'Dr Vukan Cupic' indicate that a subgroup with low prevalence of metabolic complications of obesity is also present within population of obese children and adolescents in Serbia. A significant association of preserved insulin sensitivity with favorable metabolic phenotype is also supported by the results. Known data suggest the need for a different approach in the treatment of obesity in the subpopulation of the metabolically healthy obese. Due to differences in terms of complications and treatment, these individuals should also be regarded as a separate entity in further research.