Glucagon-like peptide 1 and pancreatic polypeptide responses to feeding in normal weight and overweight children

Background: Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and pancreatic polypeptide (PP) are intestinal hormones that are involved in the post-prandial satiety response. We sought to assess meal-related changes in these hormones in young children and determine whether differences exist between normal weight (NW) and overweight (OW) children. Methods: Seven to 11 year-old healthy NW (n = 20) and OW (n = 12) volunteers were given a standardized breakfast and lunch following an overnight fast and had measurements of GLP-1 and PP over 9 hours. We characterized whether GLP-1 and PP changed from the pre-prandial to the post-prandial state and whether the serum levels corresponded to reported appetite. Results: GLP-1 did not increase after eating, did not decline prior to the next meal, and did not correspond to satiety ratings in either group. PP increased post-prandially in OW children after both breakfast and lunch, but in the NW group PP only increased after breakfast. PP levels did not decline in either group as the next meal approached. Conclusions: In our study of school-age children, feeding had little effect on GLP-1 secretion and a variable effect on serum PP levels. Observed differences in the GLP-1 and PP responses between the NW and OW groups do not suggest there is an intrinsic abnormality in their secretion that causes weight gain.