Lower Cortisol and Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate and Higher Food Addiction in Childhood Obesity: Associations With Stress and Dietary Parameters.

Abstract

Context: Obesity has been associated with changes in cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) sulfate concentrations and increased stress levels and food addiction.

Objectives: We explored changes in morning salivary cortisol and DHEA in childhood obesity and their associations with body composition, metabolic profile, food addiction, food consumption, and stress in a cross-sectional study.

Methods: Children aged 7 to 12 years of both sexes were allocated into 2 groups according to body mass index-for-age: control group (n = 60) or obesity group (n = 98). Anthropometric, body composition, serum glucose, insulin, lipid profile, and DHEA were measured. Saliva was collected at different times to measure morning salivary cortisol concentrations. Food addiction, food consumption, and stress were assessed using questionnaires.

Results: Lower DHEA [1.04 (0.87-1.25) ng/mL vs 1.65 (1.30-2.07) ng/mL, P = .002] and salivary cortisol (6:00 Am: 1.17 ± 0.89 vs 1.45 ± 0.82 nmol/L, 6:30 Am: 1.53 ± 0.68 vs 1.83 ± 0.70 nmol/L, 7:30 Am: 0.72 ± 0.99 vs 1.31 ± 0.94 nmol/L, P-value of time < 0.001 and P-value of group = .002) were observed in children with obesity compared to the control. DHEA correlated negatively with waist circumference (r = -0.20, P < .05), body mass index-for-age(BMI-Z) (r = -0.21, P < .01), and weight (r = -0.25, P < .01). DHEA showed a positive correlation with the cortisol area under the curve (r = 0.29, P = .002). Food addiction was positively correlated with waist circumference (r = 0.21, P < .01), BMI-Z (r = 0.22, P < .01), body weight (r = 0.20, P < .05), total energy intake (r = 0.20, P < .05), and lipids (r = 0.24, P < .01).

Conclusion: Children with obesity showed lower concentrations of salivary cortisol and DHEA and higher food addiction compared to control children. These changes may contribute to the development of chronic diseases over time.