Abstract

ABSTRACT
Change in lifestyle increased the prevalence of obesity, which is associated with high serum leptin (SL) concentration
and insulin resistance (IR). IR may be present, many years before the appearance of diabetes mellitus. The aim is to
investigate the relationship between SL and IR in non-diabetic young female. Eighty students (aged 18-30 years)
were recruited in this cross-sectional study. Fasting SL, serum insulin, blood glucose, HDL, LDL, total cholesterol,
and triglycerides were measured in addition to anthropometric measurements and blood pressure. IR, Body Mass
Index (BMI), Waist-hip ratio (WHR) and Waist-height ratio (WHtR) were calculated. The mean BMI was 26.7±6.0
kg/m2, mean fasting SL was 30.1 ± 15.4 mg/ml and serum HDL-cholesterol was 59.2 ± 12.2 mg/dl. BMI correlated
directly with fasting SL (P<0.01), fasting insulin (P<0.01) and IR (P<0.01). IR was best predicted by Fasting SL
(value± SE: 0.343±0.007, P<0.01) with which it had a strong positive correlation (P<0.01). There was a positive
correlation between fasting SL and WHtR (P<0.01) but not with WHR. In addition IR correlated positively with
systolic and diastolic blood pressure (r = 0.292, P<0.01 and r = 0.298, P< 0.01 respectively). There is a significant
association between fasting SL and IR in non-diabetic young females that depends on body fatness and its
parameters. Early preventive measures and treatment of those with IR could prevent progression to DM.