Recent Advances in the Understanding of Adiponectin and Its Role in the Aetiology and Pathogenesis of Childhood Obesity

Obesity is a contemporary disease of epidemic proportions according to national and international reports, considered as the consequence of consumerism and life style modifications, which is both true for developed as well as developing countries. Several reports have shown that 30-35% of the population in developed countries is obese or overweight. Numerous studies have reported the etiology and pathogenesis of obesity, under the possible molecular mechanisms of this condition. One of the main molecules studied is adiponectin, considered as a key adipokine. The present work attempts to review the current knowledge on adiponectin and its participation in the etiology and pathogenesis of childhood obesity.