Abstract
Objective: To review the literature on studies that portray insulin resistance, diabetes mellitus and obesity in adolescence. Literature review: Insulin is an anabolic hormone secreted by pancreatic beta cells and has metabolic functions that include: glucose uptake, increased protein synthesis, fatty acids and glycogen. Changes in insulin function may be related to several extrinsic factors such as changes in eating habits and physical inactivity, and intrinsic factors such as obesity. Excessive accumulation of body fat, especially visceral fat, favors the elevation of free fatty acids in the bloodstream, which may impair insulin signaling, decrease receptor sensitivity in cell membranes and create insulin resistance, which may lead to increased insulin resistance. the onset of diabetes mellitus. There is agreement in the scientific world that obesity, especially in children and adolescents, may favor the early identification of factors that influence the onset of metabolic syndrome and diabetes mellitus. Final considerations: Obesity, especially visceral obesity, and DM itself are related to the higher risk of developing IR and other metabolic complications in adolescents.