Objective: To investigate the association between high level serum leptin in male youths in relation to parental history of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and body mass index (BMI).
Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out at the Department of Medical Technology, Applied Science University, Amman, Jordan during the period from January to April 2009. One hundred and sixteen Jordanian male nursing students aged 18-24 years were divided into 4 groups according to parental history of T2DM and BMI. Fasting blood samples were measured for blood glucose, lipid profile, and serum leptin.
Results: Serum leptin levels in overweight and obese male youth diabetic patients with parental history of T2DM were significantly higher than in those overweight and obese without parental history (p<0.001). Of the 116 subjects, 83 (71.6%) had a positive parental history of T2DM. Compared with other groups, significant (p<0.001) elevation was observed in the mean cholesterol and triglyceride levels of obese T2DM. No significant differences were detected in high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, and blood glucose levels among all study groups.
Conclusion: High levels of leptin in overweight and obese Jordanian male youths were more likely associated with a positive parental family history of T2DM than BMI factor.