Relationship between serum magnesium levels and insulin resistance in overweight children

Abstract

Background: This cross-sectional case-control study aimed to explore the relationship between serum magnesium levels and insulin resistance in children with overweight or obesity. Methodology: At Shri B M Patil Medical College Hospital, this 1.5-year cross-sectional case-control investigation investigated the association among levels of magnesium in the blood and insulin resistance in children aged 5 to 16. Cases met the 2015 revised IAP growth charts for overweight or obesity, in comparison to age-matched healthy controls. Exclusions included secondary causes of obesity and medical complications affecting magnesium. Assessments involved clinical history, examination, and fasting blood tests for insulin resistance indices. The study aimed for a total sample size of 110 participants, utilizing G*Power software. Results: Overweight children exhibited significantly lower mean serum magnesium levels compared to controls (1.03 mEq/l vs. 1.85 mEq/l, p < 0.001). Anthropometric measures, including BMI and percentage body fat, were significantly higher in cases. Metabolic markers, such as fasting insulin, HOMA, and lipid profiles, also demonstrated substantial differences. Systolic blood pressure, while not significantly different, displayed a trend towards elevation in overweight children. Conclusion: This finding underscores the potential relevance of magnesium in the context of childhood obesity and its metabolic consequences.