As low adiponectin appears to be the strongest predictor of metabolic syndrome in children and young adults, the correlation to elevated androstenedione, but not BMI or waist-to-hip ratio or glucocorticoid dose, may support elevated androgens as a stronger factor of metabolic risk than glucocorticoid treatment or obesity itself. Here, ADIPOQ is linked to obesity due to melanocortin 4 receptor deficiency.