Childhood obesity and central precocious puberty

Abstract

Childhood obesity is a major public health problem worldwide, and the relationship between obesity and central precocious puberty has long been confirmed, however, the mechanisms underlying this association remain elusive. This review provides an overview of the recent progress regarding how childhood obesity impacts on hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and pubertal onset, focusing on adipokines (leptin and ghrelin), hormone (insulin), and lipid (ceramide), as well as critical signaling pathways (AMPK/SIRT, mTOR) that integrate the peripheral metabolism and central circuits. Notably, prevention of obesity and CPP is beneficial for the adult life of the children, thus we further summarize the potential strategies in treating and preventing childhood obesity and CPP. The updated understanding of metabolic stress and pediatric endocrine disease will arise the attention of society, and also contribute to preventing more serious comorbidities in the later period of life in children.

Keywords: central precocious puberty; childhood obesity; integration; metabolic status; prevention strategies.

Figure 1

The regulation of metabolic and endocrine functions. Alteration of peripheral metabolic status in childhood obesity changed the production and release of cytokines, hormones, lipid, as well as energy sensitive molecules that integrate the control of metabolic signals and central circuits, which together affect the initial of puberty.

Figure 2

The possible prevention strategies for childhood obesity and CPP.