Leptin: obesity, diabetes and other peripheral effects--a review.

There is an increasing epidemic of obesity in the Western and developing world that has not spared children and, hence, is of great concern. Obesity presents numerous physiological and psychosocial problems for the child. Childhood obesity not only increases the risk of obesity in adulthood, it is associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus; is the leading cause of pediatric hypertension; increases the risk of coronary heart disease; and increases stress on the weight-bearing joints. Social and psychological problems are also significant consequences of obesity in children, with lowering of self-esteem and its effects on relationships with peers. Obesity is clearly associated with increased levels of the recently discovered hormone, leptin. Leptin, secreted from adipocytes, is involved in the regulation of food intake, energy expenditure, and energy balance in humans. This review focuses on the hormone, leptin, in an effort to document some of its many local and systemic effects on the body and, specifically, its potential role in obesity-induced diabetes.