Insulin resistance (IR) is a clinical condition due to the decline in the efficiency of insulin promoting glucose uptake and utilization. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the current knowledge on IR in children, focusing on its physiopathology, the most appropriate methods of measurement of IR, the assessment of risk factors, the effects of IR in children, and finally giving indications on screening and treatment.

IR has evolved more and more to be a global public health problem associated with several chronic metabolic diseases.

Detecting a correct measurement method and specific risk predictors, in order to reduce the incidence of IR, represents a challenging goal.