Effects of Metformin on Energy Intake and Satiety in Obese Children.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25483291?dopt=Abstract

Abstract
AIMS:

Metformin's ability to promote weight loss is believed to be at least partly attributable to decreased energy consumption. There are few data regarding the effects of metformin on energy intake in children. We therefore investigated metformin's effects on appetite and energy intake in obese hyperinsulinemic children.
MATERIALS AND METHODS:

We conducted a 6-month randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to evaluate the effects of metformin 1000 mg BID on body weight and energy balance in 100 obese hyperinsulinemic children aged 6-12y. Subjects ate ad libitum from standardized food arrays on two separate occasions before, and then again after, 6 months of study medication. The first test meal was consumed after an overnight fast. The second was preceded by a pre-meal load. For each test meal, energy intake was recorded, and subjects completed scales of hunger, fullness, and desire to eat.
RESULTS:

Data from the meal studies at baseline and after treatment with study medication were available for 84 children (45 metformin-treated and 39 placebo-treated). Compared with placebo, metformin treatment elicited significant reductions from baseline in adjusted mean energy intake after the pre-meal load (metformin: -104.7 ± 83.8 kcal vs. placebo: +144.2 ± 96.9 kcal; p = 0.034) independent of changes in body composition. Metformin also significantly decreased ratings of hunger (-1.5 ± 5.6 vs. +18.6 ± 6.3; p = 0.013) and increased ratings of fullness (+10.1 ± 6.2 vs. -12.8 ± 7.0; p = 0.01) following the pre-meal load.
CONCLUSIONS:

These data suggest that decreased perceived hunger resulting in diminished food intake are among the mechanisms by which metformin treatment reduces body weight in overweight, hyperinsulinemic children.

Interesting Yoly but what a tragedy more and more children are becoming heavily over weight. In my opinion the correct diet and some modest exercise will do more than pills will ever achieve. Much work still to be done. Our five grandchildren are low carbers, but not to my level, none are over weight.

yoly wrote:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25483291?dopt=Abstract

Abstract
AIMS:

Metformin's ability to promote weight loss is believed to be at least partly attributable to decreased energy consumption. There are few data regarding the effects of metformin on energy intake in children. We therefore investigated metformin's effects on appetite and energy intake in obese hyperinsulinemic children.
MATERIALS AND METHODS:

We conducted a 6-month randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to evaluate the effects of metformin 1000 mg BID on body weight and energy balance in 100 obese hyperinsulinemic children aged 6-12y. Subjects ate ad libitum from standardized food arrays on two separate occasions before, and then again after, 6 months of study medication. The first test meal was consumed after an overnight fast. The second was preceded by a pre-meal load. For each test meal, energy intake was recorded, and subjects completed scales of hunger, fullness, and desire to eat.
RESULTS:

Data from the meal studies at baseline and after treatment with study medication were available for 84 children (45 metformin-treated and 39 placebo-treated). Compared with placebo, metformin treatment elicited significant reductions from baseline in adjusted mean energy intake after the pre-meal load (metformin: -104.7 ± 83.8 kcal vs. placebo: +144.2 ± 96.9 kcal; p = 0.034) independent of changes in body composition. Metformin also significantly decreased ratings of hunger (-1.5 ± 5.6 vs. +18.6 ± 6.3; p = 0.013) and increased ratings of fullness (+10.1 ± 6.2 vs. -12.8 ± 7.0; p = 0.01) following the pre-meal load.
CONCLUSIONS:

These data suggest that decreased perceived hunger resulting in diminished food intake are among the mechanisms by which metformin treatment reduces body weight in overweight, hyperinsulinemic children.

Thankyou very much for this

i have one daughter on metformin since 2 years old and is still large, the other is about to start them and is thin, it seems both are hyperinsulinemic both have eaten a very healthy (compared to most kids) diet their whole lives

i have to admit i struggled a tad with your post but ill try and read the whole thing and see if my brains start leaking out of my ears

interestingly or not maybe, the large one is the most bouncy energetic kid and always has been, you can't keep her still even when you want to, the thin daughter is mostly lethargic

agh that was the whole thing hehe, ill be showing the missus when i get home thanks again very interesting

Within a year of becoming a type two diabetic, I diagnosed one of our sons at a BBQ, his BG was over ten. He was heavily over weight and was the fourth generation type two to my knowledge in our family. There is a definite genetic link. He went to see his Doctor, I had briefed him on low carb, but told him don't go over the top re a low carb diet. However, he did mention he was low carbing and the family history. He got lucky, not only did the Doctor tell him it was the right way for go for him, to my astonishment, it was also recommended for his children. The doctor said "lets hope we can end type two diabetes with your generation in your family"

When it comes to children ....it seems no two are the same. Genetics do obviously play there part but there are still mechanisms we don't truly understand. Parents do there best, GP's and Health Care Professionals do there best (or at least they should do). Why do you get one child short the other child tall? Or as Andy says one more energetic than the other?

This may seem obvious - but we are each individual, we do have strengths, weaknesses, we are indeed a mix. Does this make life easy? Does this mean we can understand things?

Sorry the answer is very often no - we can only do our best, keep fighting, keep researching, keep talking, keep reading. By sharing ideas, exchanging ideas we learn, we progress. We just have to keep an open mind and be willing to think may this be right? I'm not sure I'll research / talk some more.

Children are our future ..... we can only do our best, sometimes medication can help, sometimes a change in lifestyle ....foods, exercise, sleep etc can help. It is not always possible to wave a magic wand ......give every child a hug, they and you will feel a lot better  

Only my thoughts .........

All the best Jan

yoly wrote:
These data suggest that decreased perceived hunger resulting in diminished food intake are among the mechanisms by which metformin treatment reduces body weight in overweight, hyperinsulinemic children.

It's hard to think when you have the weight of knowledge on your shoulders isn't it?

Metformin helps to reduce weight by making the body (probably the muscles) more sensitive to insulin; which makes your insulin levels decrease, which makes you more likely to lose weight. This is akin to what happens when you exercise.

The people who wrote this study KNOW that weight gain is caused by eating too much and therefore they KNOW that to lose weight you must eat less. Their conclusion is therefore that weight loss must have come from eating less because as everyone KNOWS that's how it works.

FFS!

Best

Dillinger