Abstract

Adolescent obesity has increasingly become a major health problem in many Asian countries, including Thailand. Obesity is associated with many metabolic disorders and cardiovascular complications.  Insulin resistance is a key component of the metabolic syndrome, and its prevalence in Thai pediatric population is increasing, particularly among obese children and adolescents. Several factors are implicated in the pathophysiology of obesity-related insulin resistance. Currently, valid and reliable methods are essential to assess the presence and the extent of insulin resistance, the associated risk factors and the effect of pharmacological and lifestyle interventions.  This review focuses on obesity-related insulin resistance in obese adolescents and its associated complications.  The development of preventive programs involving dietic food, exercise and/or early medical treatment in children and adolescents with overt overweight and obesity appears to be essential to improve vascular function and reduce associated complications.

Keywords: Adolescent, cytokines, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, obesity