Gender differences in the association of insulin resistance with metabolic risk factors among Korean adolescents: Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2008–2010

AimsWe investigated the association of insulin resistance with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components among Korean adolescents.MethodsWe analyzed the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2008–2010). Adolescents aged 10–18 years without diabetes (1584 boys and 1388 girls) were evaluated. Insulin resistance was assessed by homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and MetS was diagnosed according to the 2007 International Diabetes Federation criteria for adolescents.ResultsThe prevalence of MetS was 1.4% among boys and 1.7% among girls. Girls in the highest quartile of HOMA-IR were significantly more likely to have MetS compared to girls in the lower quartiles independent of survey year, age, body mass index, white blood cell count, and alanine aminotransferase [odds ratio (OR), 5.33; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.57–18.11]. Moreover, compared to girls in the lowest quartile of HOMA-IR, girls in the highest quartile significantly exhibited large waist circumference (OR, 3.22; 95% CI, 1.01–10.35), high triglycerides (OR, 6.43; 95% CI, 2.83–14.58), and low high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) (OR, 2.49; 95% CI, 1.50–4.11). However, such associations were not found among boys.ConclusionsOur results suggest that insulin resistance may be independently associated with MetS, large waist circumference, high triglycerides, and low HDL-C only among girls.