Children’s cortisol and externalizing stress symptoms are predictors of adiponectin evolution over two years

Abstract Background Adiponectinis an anti-inflammatory, insulin-sensitizing and energy-regulating adipocytokine. Consequently, the link between psychosocial stress and inflammatory diseases like the metabolic syndrome might be partially explained by lower adiponectinlevels in stress. Nevertheless, the stress- adiponectinassociation has seldom been tested and no clarity exists about the directionality. Methods In the Belgian ChiBS study, serum adiponectinand stress levels were measured in 348 children (5–10y) at baseline and in 168 of them after 2-year follow-up. Psychosocial stress was reported with the Strengthsand Difficulties Questionnaire(parental report on emotional, peer, and conduct problems), negative emotions (anger, sadness, anxiety) and negative events. In addition, salivary cortisol diurnal patterns were available from 2 days with each 4 samples. Longitudinal linear regression analyses were performed including step-wise adjustment for age, sex, socio-economic status, body fat%, physical activity and snack frequency. Results Despite some positive cross-sectional associations, high daily cortisol output (beta = −0.285), anger (beta = −0.233) and conduct problems (beta = −0.182) were associated with less adiponectinincrease over time, in most cases independent of the tested confounders. The other directionalitywas not significant: no longitudinal prediction of stress by adiponectin. Conclusion In healthy children, daily cortisol output and externalizing stress symptoms were negative predictors of adiponectinevolution. These findings highlight the health-compromising effects of psychosocial stress.