Leptin concentrations in the United States: relations with demographic and anthropometric measures

Am J Clin Nutr. 2001 Sep;74(3):295-301. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/74.3.295.

Abstract

Background: Leptin is a peptide that is strongly correlated with adiposity and is a potential determinant of obesity and its complications.

Objective: Leptin concentrations from a representative sample of the US population were examined in relation to demographic and anthropometric measures.

Design: Fasting serum leptin concentrations were measured in 6303 women and men aged > or =20 y in the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Anthropometric measures included body mass index, 4 skinfold thicknesses, and 4 body circumferences. Ethnic groups included non-Hispanic whites and blacks and Mexican Americans.

Results: The mean serum leptin concentration was much higher in women (12.7 microg/L) than in men (4.6 microg/L). In a multivariate analysis, leptin concentrations were associated with the sum of 4 skinfold thicknesses, waist and hip circumferences, ethnicity, and age. These measures explained most of the variance in leptin concentrations in women (R2 = 0.69) and in men (R2 = 0.67). Triceps skinfold thickness, when substituted for the sum of skinfold thicknesses, performed nearly as well in women (R2 = 0.68) and men (R2 = 0.67). Leptin concentrations were slightly but significantly higher in non-Hispanic blacks than in non-Hispanic whites of both sexes when these anthropometric measures and age were controlled for; Mexican Americans had concentrations that were intermediate compared with the concentrations of non-Hispanic whites and blacks.

Conclusions: In this large, representative sample of the US population, demographic and anthropometric measures predicted serum leptin concentrations in women and men.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adipose Tissue
  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Black or African American
  • Body Constitution / ethnology*
  • Body Mass Index
  • Ethnicity / statistics & numerical data*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Leptin / blood*
  • Male
  • Mexican Americans
  • Mexico / ethnology
  • Middle Aged
  • Nutrition Surveys
  • Obesity / blood
  • Obesity / epidemiology
  • Obesity / ethnology*
  • Regression Analysis
  • Sex Factors
  • Skinfold Thickness
  • United States / epidemiology
  • White People

Substances

  • Leptin