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Kitani RA, Nicolaides NC, Mantzou A, Chatzidaki E, Michou M, Polychronaki N, Letsou K, Pervanidou P, Kanaka-Gantenbein C. Differences in segmental hair cortisol concentration analysis among children and adolescents with overweight and obesity, their parents, and normal weight peers. Hormones (Athens) 2023; 22:623-632. [PMID: 37688736 DOI: 10.1007/s42000-023-00482-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/11/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Dysregulation of the stress system via incidental long exposure to glucocorticoids (GCs) can lead to weight gain. In addition, family and maternal stress can also have an impact on children's weight. Hair is used in several studies to evaluate cortisol (GC) levels in children and adolescents with excess weight as a retrospective stress biomarker, depending on the hair length the cortisol measurement depicting different time periods. We aimed to investigate whether there is a difference among segmental hair cortisol concentration (HCC) analysis between children and adolescents with overweight and obesity, their mothers, and normal weight peers. METHODS This study recruited 25 children aged 6-14 years with a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 85th centile and their mothers, as well as 20 children of the same age with a BMI < 85th centile. Hair cortisol concentration was measured using electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. RESULTS Segmental HCC analysis exhibited gradually decreasing values in all participants as segments of hair were more distantly located from the scalp. A positive correlation was found between BMI z-score and HCC of the first segment of hair in children and adolescents with elevated BMI (b = 1.84, p = 0.033), as well as with maternal HCC / of an only child (b = 15.77, p = 0.01). There were no associations between mother-child dyads and children and adolescents of different BMI groups, even though minors with excess weight exhibited higher HCC levels in all segments of hair in comparison to their normal weight counterparts. CONCLUSIONS Hair cortisol of all participants exhibited a gradually declining concentration. More studies with larger samples and more sensitive methods of analysis are warranted in order to draw firmer conclusions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa-Anna Kitani
- Postgraduate Course on "The Science of Stress and Health Promotion", Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Thivon and Levadias str, 11527, Athens, Greece.
| | - Nicolas C Nicolaides
- Postgraduate Course on "The Science of Stress and Health Promotion", Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Thivon and Levadias str, 11527, Athens, Greece
- First Department of Pediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Aimilia Mantzou
- First Department of Pediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Evi Chatzidaki
- First Department of Pediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Maria Michou
- Postgraduate Course on "The Science of Stress and Health Promotion", Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Thivon and Levadias str, 11527, Athens, Greece
- Human Ecology Laboratory, Department of Economics and Sustainable Development, Harokopio University, 17671, Athens, Greece
| | - Nektaria Polychronaki
- First Department of Pediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Konstantina Letsou
- Postgraduate Course on "The Science of Stress and Health Promotion", Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Thivon and Levadias str, 11527, Athens, Greece
| | - Panagiota Pervanidou
- Postgraduate Course on "The Science of Stress and Health Promotion", Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Thivon and Levadias str, 11527, Athens, Greece
- First Department of Pediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Christina Kanaka-Gantenbein
- Postgraduate Course on "The Science of Stress and Health Promotion", Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Thivon and Levadias str, 11527, Athens, Greece
- First Department of Pediatrics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
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Foster BA, Alvarez HO, Padilla T, Meyer JS. Longitudinal Examination of Hair Cortisol Concentrations and Weight Changes in Preschool-Aged Children of Latino Farmworkers. Child Obes 2023; 19:399-407. [PMID: 36036733 PMCID: PMC10468554 DOI: 10.1089/chi.2022.0103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Background: Hair cortisol concentrations may serve as a measure of biologically embedded stress. While the cross-sectional association between hair cortisol and obesity in children has been examined, the data examining this relationship over time are limited. Methods: We examined hair cortisol and anthropometrics in 40 children with obesity from Latino families enrolled in a Head Start program serving farmworkers. All participants were enrolled in a clinical trial using parent mentors to encourage healthy lifestyles. We analyzed the proximal 3 cm of hair at the beginning and the end of the trial, a period of about 8 months. Linear mixed models were used to examine if changes in hair cortisol were associated with changes in adiposity. Results: Children had a median BMI percentile of 98% and parents with lower education with 25 of 40 having less than high school diploma and high food insecurity (17 of 40, 43%). Among the 40 children with valid data for both time points, the median hair cortisol concentration at baseline was 4.09 pg/mg (interquartile range [IQR] 2.65-8.68) and 6.05 pg/mg (IQR 3.95-9.33) at the end point. Increases in cortisol from baseline to follow-up had a small but significant association with decreased obesity over time. Hair cortisol did not moderate an association between food security and weight. Conclusion: In children with chronic stressors and obesity, we found that increases in cortisol over time were associated with decreases in adiposity. Further studies following hair cortisol concentrations over time are needed to understand how this biomarker relates to weight status and stressors. Clinicaltrials.gov ID: NCT03330743.
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Affiliation(s)
- Byron A. Foster
- Department of Pediatrics, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
- School of Public Health, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland State University, Portland, OR, USA
| | | | - Thalia Padilla
- School of Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Jerrold S. Meyer
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA
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Chen Y, Petzold M, Rüetschi U, Dahlstrand J, Löfstedt P, Corell M, Friberg P. Hair glucocorticoid concentration, self-perceived stress and their associations with cardiometabolic risk markers in Swedish adolescents. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2022; 146:105908. [PMID: 36054941 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2022.105908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND While hair cortisol is proposed as a biomarker for chronic stress and a possible mediator linking chronic stress and cardiovascular risk in adults, studies in adolescents are scarce. We explored the associations between self-perceived stress, hair cortisol (HairF) and cortisone (HairE), and cardiometabolic risk markers in adolescents. Further, we examined whether association between self-perceived stress and HairF may depend on the use of the coping strategies "shift-persist". METHODS Participants were 7th grade pupils recruited to the STudy of Adolescence Resilience and Stress (STARS) and data from the baseline examinations were used. Adolescents (n = 1553, 26 % boys, Mage=13.6, SD = 0.4) completed questionnaires assessing perceived stress and coping strategies "shift-persist", provided hair sample, and examined for cardiometabolic risk factors including waist circumference (WC), body mass index (BMI) z-score, blood pressure, and white blood cell counts (WBC). HairF and HairE were analysed using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. We conducted descriptive analyses (Student's t-test, Wilcoxon Signed Ranks test, Chi-square test) and linear regression analyses. RESULTS Perceived stress was not associated with HairF, neither had the use of coping strategies "shift-persist" any influence on this association. Both HairF and HairE were positively associated with BMI z-score (beta coefficients (β): 0.178 (p < 0.001) and 0.119 (p < 0.001) for boys; 0.123 (p < 0.001) and 0.089 (p < 0.01) for girls) and WC (β: 0.089 (p > 0.05) and 0.098 (p < 0.05) for boys; 0.103 (p < 0.01) and 0.076 (p < 0.05) for girls). Perceived stress was also positively associated with BMI z-score and WC. Perceived stress, but not HairF, remained associated with WC in boys (β = 0.200, p < 0.001) in the models with HairF and perceived stress presented simultaneously. Modest association between HairE and WBC was found in boys (β = 0.149, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS The study supports the association between chronic stress and overweight/obesity in adolescents. Hair cortisol and self-perceived stress capture different aspects of how chronic stress is related to overweight/obesity in adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Chen
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - Max Petzold
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - Ulrika Rüetschi
- Department of Clinial Chemistry, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - Johan Dahlstrand
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - Petra Löfstedt
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - Maria Corell
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - Peter Friberg
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
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Abstract
Childhood obesity is, according to the WHO, one of the most serious challenges of the 21st century. More than 100 million children have obesity today. Already during childhood, almost all organs are at risk of being affected by obesity. In this review, we present the current knowledge about diseases associated with childhood obesity and how they are affected by weight loss. One major causative factor is obesity-induced low-grade chronic inflammation, which can be observed already in preschool children. This inflammation-together with endocrine, paracrine, and metabolic effects of obesity-increases the long-term risk for several severe diseases. Type 2 diabetes is increasingly prevalent in adolescents and young adults who have had obesity during childhood. When it is diagnosed in young individuals, the morbidity and mortality rate is higher than when it occurs later in life, and more dangerous than type 1 diabetes. Childhood obesity also increases the risk for several autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, Crohn's disease, arthritis, and type 1 diabetes and it is well established that childhood obesity also increases the risk for cardiovascular disease. Consequently, childhood obesity increases the risk for premature mortality, and the mortality rate is three times higher already before 30 years of age compared with the normal population. The risks associated with childhood obesity are modified by weight loss. However, the risk reduction is affected by the age at which weight loss occurs. In general, early weight loss-that is, before puberty-is more beneficial, but there are marked disease-specific differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claude Marcus
- Division of Pediatrics, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Pernilla Danielsson
- Division of Pediatrics, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Emilia Hagman
- Division of Pediatrics, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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De Ruyter T, Martens DS, Bijnens EM, Nawrot TS, De Henauw S, Michels N. A multi-exposure approach to study telomere dynamics in childhood: A role for residential green space and waist circumference. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 213:113656. [PMID: 35691385 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.113656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Telomeres are vulnerable to various environmental exposures and lifestyle factors, encompassed in the exposome. Recent research shows that telomere length is substantially determined early in life and that exposures in childhood may have important consequences in setting later life telomere length. OBJECTIVES We explore in a child population the associations of 17 exposures with telomere length and longitudinal telomere change. METHODS Children (2.8-10.3y at baseline, 51.3% boys) were followed-up for five to seven years. Relative telomere length was measured at baseline and follow-up using quantitative real-time PCR. Exposures and lifestyle factors included: body composition (body mass index and waist circumference), dietary habits (sugar- and fat-rich food intake, vegetables and fruit intake), psychosocial stress (events, emotions, behaviour), sleep duration, physical activity, and residential environmental quality (longterm black carbon, particulate matter exposure, and residential green space). Cross-sectional (n=182) and longitudinal (n=150) analyses were assessed using linear regression models, adjusting for age, sex, socioeconomic status and multiple testing. RESULTS Our longitudinal analyses showed that higher residential green space at baseline was associated with (β=0.261, p=0.002) lower telomere attrition and that children with a higher waist circumference at baseline showed a higher telomere attrition (β=-0.287, p=0.001). These two predictors were confirmed via LASSO variable selection and correction for multiple testing. In addition, children with more unhealthy exposures at baseline had a significantly higher telomere attrition over the follow-up period compared to children with more healthy exposures (β=-0.200, p=0.017). DISCUSSION Waist circumference and residential green space were identified as predictors associated with telomere attrition in childhood. These results further support the advantages of a healthy lifestyle from early age onwards and the importance of a green environment to promote molecular longevity from childhood onwards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thaïs De Ruyter
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium.
| | - Dries S Martens
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Esmée M Bijnens
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium; Department of Human Structure and Repair, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Tim S Nawrot
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium; Department of Public Health & Primary Care, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Stefaan De Henauw
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Nathalie Michels
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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Ma L, Liu X, Yan N, Gan Y, Wu Y, Li Y, Chu M, Chiu DT, Ma L. Associations Between Different Cortisol Measures and Adiposity in Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Front Nutr 2022; 9:879256. [PMID: 35811977 PMCID: PMC9260431 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2022.879256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
This study examined associations between hair, salivary, serum, and urinary cortisol concentration with adiposity-related indicators in children, and explored their potential effects modification by age, sex, cortisol measurement method, and country developmental context. We systematically searched PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase for studies examining at least one of the four aforementioned cortisol with objectively measured adiposity-related outcomes in children. Meta-analyses of cross-sectional studies revealed that hair cortisol concentration was associated with fat mass index (FMI)-standard deviation score (SDS)/FMI z-score (pooled-β = 0.04, 95% CI: 0.01, 0.08) and BMI/BMI z-score (pooled-β = 0.15, 95% CI: 0.06, 0.25), and these associations were significant among children aged ≤ 12 years (pooled-β = 0.15, 95% CI: 0.05, 0.26) and >12 years (pooled-β = 0.13, 95% CI: 0.04, 0.22), children from developed countries (pooled β = 0.12, 95% CI: 0.03, 0.21) and developing countries (pooled-β = 0.193, 95% CI: 0.188, 0.198), and in studies extracting cortisol via LC-MS/MS (pooled-β = 0.18, 95% CI: 0.06, 0.29) but not ELISA (pooled-β = 0.08, 95% CI: −0.06, 0.22). Meta-analyses of both cohort and cross-sectional studies revealed non-significant associations of morning salivary cortisol concentration and total daily cortisol output with BMI/BMI z-score. Serum cortisol concentration was not associated with BMI or waist circumference. Meta-analysis of urinary cortisol concentration and adiposity was hindered by insufficient data. These findings further corroborate understanding of chronic stress’ physiological contribution to increased pediatric obesity risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Ma
- School of Public Health, Global Health Institute, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi’an, China
| | - Xi Liu
- School of Public Health, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi’an, China
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Na Yan
- School of Public Health, Global Health Institute, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi’an, China
| | - Yiqun Gan
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Behavior and Mental Health, School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yue Wu
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Ministry of Education, Xi’an, China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiology, Xi’an, China
| | - Ying Li
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Meng Chu
- School of Public Health, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi’an, China
| | - Dorothy T. Chiu
- Community Health Sciences Division, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
- *Correspondence: Dorothy T. Chiu,
| | - Le Ma
- School of Public Health, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi’an, China
- Le Ma,
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Kitani RA, Letsou K, Kokka I, Kanaka-Gantenbein C, Bacopoulou F. Difference in Hair Cortisol Concentrations between Obese and Non-Obese Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 9:children9050715. [PMID: 35626892 PMCID: PMC9139968 DOI: 10.3390/children9050715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2022] [Revised: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Childhood obesity has been linked to physical and psychological comorbidities that can be carried into adulthood. A bidirectional link between body weight and the stress system appears to exist, as cortisol may affect the regulation of appetite, while adiposity can affect cortisol secretion. Among the biological tissues used to evaluate cortisol concentrations, scalp hair can provide retrospective measures. The aim of this systematic review was to investigate the difference in hair cortisol concentrations between obese and non-obese minors ≤ 19 years of age. Children and adolescents with genetic, somatic or psychiatric comorbidities were excluded. The work was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines, using prespecified search terms in the Pubmed database. The initial search yielded 56 studies, while the last step of the screening procedure concluded in 9 observational studies. Among them, the results could be characterized as inconclusive. Five of them demonstrated significantly higher hair cortisol concentrations in obese children and adolescents than normal weight subjects. On the contrary, the remaining four found no statistically significant differences in hair cortisol concentrations between obese and non-obese subjects. Different methodologies applied, and confounding factors could explain the inconsistency in the findings. Further research is needed to provide more solid results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Anna Kitani
- Postgraduate Course on the Science of Stress and Health Promotion, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 4 Soranou Ephessiou St., 11527 Athens, Greece; (R.A.K.); (K.L.); (I.K.); (C.K.-G.)
| | - Konstantina Letsou
- Postgraduate Course on the Science of Stress and Health Promotion, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 4 Soranou Ephessiou St., 11527 Athens, Greece; (R.A.K.); (K.L.); (I.K.); (C.K.-G.)
| | - Ioulia Kokka
- Postgraduate Course on the Science of Stress and Health Promotion, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 4 Soranou Ephessiou St., 11527 Athens, Greece; (R.A.K.); (K.L.); (I.K.); (C.K.-G.)
- Outpatient Specialty Clinic for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Behavioral Therapy, First Department of Psychiatry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Eginition Hospital, 11528 Athens, Greece
| | - Christina Kanaka-Gantenbein
- Postgraduate Course on the Science of Stress and Health Promotion, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 4 Soranou Ephessiou St., 11527 Athens, Greece; (R.A.K.); (K.L.); (I.K.); (C.K.-G.)
- First Department of Pediatrics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Aghia Sophia Children’s Hospital, Thivon & Papadiamantopoulou St., 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Flora Bacopoulou
- Postgraduate Course on the Science of Stress and Health Promotion, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 4 Soranou Ephessiou St., 11527 Athens, Greece; (R.A.K.); (K.L.); (I.K.); (C.K.-G.)
- Center for Adolescent Medicine and UNESCO Chair in Adolescent Health Care, First Department of Pediatrics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Thivon & Papadiamantopoulou St., 11527 Athens, Greece
- Correspondence:
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van der Valk E, Abawi O, Mohseni M, Abdelmoumen A, Wester V, van der Voorn B, Iyer A, van den Akker E, Hoeks S, van den Berg S, de Rijke Y, Stalder T, van Rossum E. Cross-sectional relation of long-term glucocorticoids in hair with anthropometric measurements and their possible determinants: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Obes Rev 2022; 23:e13376. [PMID: 34811866 PMCID: PMC9285618 DOI: 10.1111/obr.13376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Revised: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Long-term glucocorticoids (HairGC) measured in scalp hair have been associated with body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and waist-hip-ratio (WHR) in several cross-sectional studies. We aimed to investigate the magnitude, strength, and clinical relevance of these relations across all ages. METHODS We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis (PROSPERO registration CRD42020205187) searching for articles relating HairGC to measures of obesity. Main outcomes were bivariate correlation coefficients and unadjusted simple linear regression coefficients relating hair cortisol (HairF) and hair cortisone (HairE) to BMI, WC, and WHR. RESULTS We included k = 146 cohorts (n = 34,342 individuals). HairGC were positively related to all anthropometric measurements. The strongest correlation and largest effect size were seen for HairE-WC: pooled correlation 0.18 (95%CI 0.11-0.24; k = 7; n = 3,158; I2 = 45.7%) and pooled regression coefficient 11.0 cm increase in WC per point increase in 10-log-transformed HairE (pg/mg) on liquid-chromatography-(tandem) mass spectrometry (LC-MS) (95%CI 10.1-11.9 cm; k = 6; n = 3,102). Pooled correlation for HairF-BMI was 0.10 (95%CI 0.08-0.13; k = 122; n = 26,527; I2 = 51.2%) and pooled regression coefficient 0.049 kg/m2 per point increase in 10-log-transformed HairF (pg/mg) on LC-MS (95%CI 0.045-0.054 kg/m2 ; k = 26; n = 11,635). DISCUSSION There is a consistent positive association between HairGC and BMI, WC, and WHR, most prominently and clinically relevant for HairE-WC. These findings overall suggest an altered setpoint of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis with increasing central adiposity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eline van der Valk
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,Obesity Center CGG, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ozair Abawi
- Obesity Center CGG, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Pediatrics, division of Endocrinology, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Mostafa Mohseni
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,Obesity Center CGG, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Amir Abdelmoumen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,Obesity Center CGG, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Vincent Wester
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,Obesity Center CGG, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Bibian van der Voorn
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,Obesity Center CGG, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Pediatrics, division of Endocrinology, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Anand Iyer
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,Obesity Center CGG, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Erica van den Akker
- Obesity Center CGG, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Pediatrics, division of Endocrinology, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sanne Hoeks
- Department of Anesthesiology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Sjoerd van den Berg
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Clinical Chemistry, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Yolanda de Rijke
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Tobias Stalder
- Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Siegen, Siegen, Germany
| | - Elisabeth van Rossum
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,Obesity Center CGG, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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9
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Vehmeijer FOL, Santos S, de Rijke YB, van den Akker ELT, Felix JF, van Rossum EFC, Jaddoe VWV. Associations of Hair Cortisol Concentrations With Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Childhood. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2021; 106:e3400-e3413. [PMID: 34050761 PMCID: PMC8372666 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgab379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Biological stress is related to cardiovascular disease in adults. The associations of stress with cardiovascular and metabolic diseases may originate in childhood. OBJECTIVE This work aims to examine the associations of hair cortisol concentrations at age 6 years with cardiometabolic risk factors at ages 6 and 10 years. METHODS Cortisol concentrations were measured in hair of 6-year-old children (n = 2598) participating in the Generation R Study, a population-based prospective cohort study in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Main outcome measures included blood pressure, heart rate, concentrations of insulin, glucose, lipids, and C-reactive protein in blood at ages 6 and 10 years. RESULTS Higher hair cortisol concentrations at age 6 years were associated with higher systolic blood pressure at age 10 years (difference 0.17 SD score; 95% CI, 0.03-0.31). The association attenuated into nonsignificance after adjustment for childhood body mass index (BMI) at age 6 years. Higher hair cortisol concentrations at age 6 years were associated with an increase in total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol between ages 6 and 10 years but not with those measurements at age 6 or 10 years. Hair cortisol concentrations were not associated with other cardiometabolic risk factors at age 6 or 10 years. CONCLUSION Hair cortisol concentrations were not independent of BMI associated with cardiometabolic risk factors at 6 or 10 years. The associations of biological stress with cardiometabolic risk factors may develop at later ages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florianne O L Vehmeijer
- The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, CA Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Pediatrics, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, CA Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Susana Santos
- The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, CA Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Pediatrics, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, CA Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Yolanda B de Rijke
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, CA Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Obesity Center CGG, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, CA Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Erica L T van den Akker
- Department of Pediatrics, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, CA Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Obesity Center CGG, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, CA Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Janine F Felix
- The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, CA Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Pediatrics, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, CA Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Elisabeth F C van Rossum
- Obesity Center CGG, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, CA Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, CA Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Vincent W V Jaddoe
- The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, CA Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Pediatrics, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, CA Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Correspondence: Vincent W. V. Jaddoe, MD, PhD, Erasmus MC (Na 29-08), PO Box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
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