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Changes in serum interleukin-6 concentrations in obese children and adolescents during a weight reduction program

International Journal of Obesity volume 25, pages 1640–1643 (2001)Cite this article

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of short term energy restriction combined with physical activity on serum concentrations of Interleukin-6 (IL-6) in obese children and adolescents.

DESIGN: Longitudinal intervention study of 3.8–5 MJ daily with exercise.

SUBJECTS: Forty-nine white obese children and adolescents (31 girls, age 11.9±1.8 y; 18 boys, age 11.6±1.7 y).

MEASUREMENTS: Indexes of obesity, IL-6, leptin, estradiol, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate at baseline and after 3 weeks.

RESULTS: All determined parameters decreased significiantly during the 3 week program (IL-6: 3.9±4.7 vs 2.0±2.2 pg/ml; P<0.05). Body mass index (BMI) fat mass, percentage fat mass (indexes of obesity), and leptin were not related to IL-6 before the program. In contrast, IL-6 concentrations correlated significantly with indexes of obesity and leptin after weight loss. IL-6 concentrations did not correlate with estradiol, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and heart rate. Changes in IL-6 concentrations correlated significantly with changes in BMI (r=0.25, P<0.05).

CONCLUSION: An improved body composition induced by restriction of energy intake and increase in physical activity is associated with more favorable serum concentrations of IL-6 in obese children and adolescents.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ludwig-Boltzmann Research Institute for Pediatric Hemostasis and Thrombosis, University of Graz, Graz, Austria

    S Gallistl

  2. Department of Pediatrics, University of Graz, Graz, Austria

    S Gallistl & M Borkenstein

  3. Institute for Sport Sciences, University of Graz, Graz, Austria

    KM Sudi

  4. Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University of Graz, Graz, Austria

    R Aigner

Authors
  1. S Gallistl
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  2. KM Sudi
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  3. R Aigner
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  4. M Borkenstein
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Correspondence to S Gallistl.

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Gallistl, S., Sudi, K., Aigner, R. et al. Changes in serum interleukin-6 concentrations in obese children and adolescents during a weight reduction program. Int J Obes 25, 1640–1643 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0801808

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