Adipokines, secreted by adipose tissue, are involved in satiety, energy expenditure and storage, as well as immune functions including cytokine production and macrophage activation. Adipokines are implicated in obesity and related diseases (metabolic syndrome (MetS) and atherosclerosis) in adults and children, as well as inflammatory diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, sepsis). Although some adipokines are produced exclusively in adipose tissue, many can be secreted elsewhere, such as myeloid cells. Metabolic and immune crossroads are highlighted by the recent perception that obesity and related diseases are chronic inflammatory conditions. Many adipokines have been examined and implicated in obesity/immune-related diseases in adults. In children there is far less data. Based on literature review, the following adipokines were identified in children/ adolescents: Leptin, adiponectin, acylation-stimulating protein (ASP), resistin, tumor necrosis factor (TNFa), visfatin and retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4). The present review outlines data on adipokines in children and their association with (1) obesity, insulin resistance (InsRes), MetS and type 2 diabetes (T2D), (2) obesity-associated liver and vascular disorders, and (3) immune-related disorders. Lastly, the environmental influences that contribute to critical development periods (intra-uterine milieu, post-natal growth, early childhood and puberty-adolescence) are addressed. © 2013 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.