Wt. Ambrosius et al., RELATION OF RACE, AGE, AND SEX-HORMONE DIFFERENCES TO SERUM LEPTIN CONCENTRATIONS IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS, Hormone research, 49(5), 1998, pp. 240-246
We explored the effects of race, age, and sex hormones on the serum le
ptin concentrations in 203 white and 88 black children and adolescents
cages 9.3-20.5 years). A significant sex by race interaction on serum
leptin levels (p = 0.0301) was observed with lower serum leptin conce
ntrations, adjusted for subscapular thickness and age, in black boys t
han in white boys. Girls had serum leptin levels that were on average
2.15 times those of boys (p < 0.0001). There was an age by sex interac
tion (p < 0.0001) with serum leptin concentrations decreasing in boys
but not in girls with age. A strongly inverse relationship of serum te
stosterone levels with serum leptin levels in boys (p = 0.0067) appear
ed to explain this effect of age. In conclusion, the serum leptin conc
entration is slightly lower in black boys. A higher testosterone level
in boys appears to account for an age-related decline in serum leptin
in boys and the overall lower levels in boys than in girls.