Female sex, small size at birth and low family income increase the likelihood of insulin resistance in late childhood: the Healthy Growth Study

Objective To identify among a wide range of perinatal indices, as well as certain family sociodemographic and parental characteristics, those independently associated with insulin resistance (IR) in late childhood. Methods A representative sample of 2195 Greek schoolchildren, aged 9–13 yr, was examined, and based on the biochemical indices collected IR was estimated using the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR < 3.16). Perinatal data were recorded from children's medical records, retrospectively, while family sociodemographics and parental anthropometrics were reported by parents. Results The overall prevalence of IR was 28.4%, with a higher prevalence observed for girls compared with boys (p  30 000 €) as the only significant correlates of IR after also controlling for children's body mass index (BMI) and Tanner stage. Conclusions The current study highlighted small birth weight and female sex as the only perinatal factors independently associated with the occurrence of IR in late childhood, when examined at a multivariable level with a wide range of perinatal indices as well as certain family sociodemographic and parental characteristics.