Circulating pro-neurotensin levels predict bodyweight gain and metabolic alterations in children

•Neurotensin (NT) is a peptide involved in the regulation of appetite, caloric intake and energy balance.•Early age of obesity onset and longer exposure to obesity is associated with future type 2 diabetes.•We longitudinally studied pro-NT levels at baseline and after 6.5 years in overweight/obese children.•Elevated pro-NT levels in children associate with weight gain and altered β-cell function later in life.•Neurotensin may represent a marker of susceptibility to metabolic impairment in presence of obesity.