This study examined the cross-sectional association of body fat distribution with hypertension as well as the superiority of medical calf skinfold measured as peripheral fat distribution over the conventional triceps skinfold using 450 Korean Navy divers selected by authors' convenience in 1990. Their mean age was 27.9 and range of it was 19-51. The centrally located body fat was approximated by subscapular from these skinfold measures to reflect central versus peripheral fat distribution pattern: 2 ratios and 2 differences. After controlling age and overall obesity (body mass index), prevalence odds ratios of the 2/4, 3/4, 4/4 quartiles of subscapular skinfold comparing with lowest 1/4 quartile were 2.05 (95% confidence interval, CI 1.18-3.59), 2.02 (95% CI 1.06-3.86), 4.00 (95% CI 1.99-8.06) respectively. The difference of subscapular and medical calf skinfolds was associated with hypertension (odds ration 2.45, 95% CI 1.28-4.68 comparing highest with lowest quartiles). Triceps and medical calf skinfolds alone did not show any odds ratio not including unity. The adjusted odds ratios were generally reduced in small magnitude compared with crude odds ratios not adjusted for age and overall obesity. The medical calf skinfold appeared to be more representative of peripheral body fat distribution than triceps skinfold. These findings suggest that central fat distribution rather than peripheral distribution is associated with hypertension independent of age and overall level of obesity and medical calf skinfold may replace conventional triceps skinfold in predicting peripheral distribution of body fat.
Adipose Tissue* ; Body Fat Distribution* ; Hypertension* ; Obesity ; Odds Ratio ; Prevalence

BACKGROUND: Obesity can be considered as hyperaccumulation of body fat. Therefore, the aim to treat obesity is to decrease body fat. Abdominal total fat calculated in computed tomography is thought to be the most accurate index measuring body fat. The body mass index (BMI) and body fat mass are the representative indices also. Leptin is a protein hormone expressed by obesity gene in adipose tissue. It inhibits food intake and increases energy consumption, thereby controls obesity. With a study of relationship between plasma leptin level and body mass index and abdominal total fat area, we tried to find the usefulness of leptin as an index of adiposity. METHODS: The adiposity level was approximated by BMI, computed tomography and bioelectical impedence. To further explore the relationship with body composition, body fat distribution was determined by computed tomograph. To quantify the relationship between serum leptin level and adiposity, correlation analyses have been conducted. RESULTS: The subjects were 32 females with a BMI of over 25 kg/m2. The mean plasma leptin level was 14.2 5.9 ug/L. We investigated the correlation of plasma leptin level with subcutaneous and visceral fat. The plasma leptin level showed a significant correlation with BMI and body fat mass, and was significantly correlated with subctaneous fat (P<0.01), but not with abdominal visceral fat. CONCLUSION: A significant correlation between plasma leptin level and body fat mass was observed. The distribution of subcutaneous fat showed differences in plasma leptin level. Therefore, the plasma leptin level may be used as an index of change of body fat mass, especially subcutaneous fat.
Adipose Tissue ; Adiposity* ; Body Composition ; Body Fat Distribution ; Body Mass Index ; Eating ; Female ; Humans ; Intra-Abdominal Fat ; Leptin* ; Obesity* ; Plasma* ; Subcutaneous Fat ; Subcutaneous Fat, Abdominal

BACKGROUNDS/OBJECTIVES: Cancer treatment may lead to significant body composition changes and affect growth and disease outcomes in pediatric cancer patients. This prospective study aimed to evaluate short- and long-term body compositions changes focused on body fat during the first year of cancer treatment in children. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A prospective study was conducted in 30 pediatric cancer patients (19 hematologic malignancies and 11 solid tumors) and 30 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Anthropometric measurements and body composition analysis using whole body dual energy X-ray absorptiometry were performed at baseline and 1, 6, and 12 month(s) of cancer treatment. Kruskal-Wallis tests, Wilcoxon paired t tests, and generalized estimation equation (GEE) were applied for statistical analysis. RESULTS: At baseline, no differences in weight, height, body mass index, abdominal circumferences, body fat, and fat-free mass were observed between 30 controls and 30 pediatric cancer patients. Total fat mass (P < 0.001) and body fat percentage (P = 0.002) increased significantly during the first month, but no changes were observed from 1 to 12 months; however, no changes in the total mass were observed during the first year of cancer treatment. Meanwhile, the total fat-free mass decreased during the first month (P = 0.008) and recovered between 6 and 12 months of follow-up (P < 0.001). According to GEE analysis, there was a significant upward trend in body fat percentage during the first year, especially the first month, of cancer treatment in children with hematologic malignancies, but not in those with solid tumors. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that cancer treatment is related to significant body composition changes and rapid body fat gain, particularly during the first month after initiating cancer treatment, in children with hematologic malignancies. Therefore, individualized dietary strategies to prevent excessive fat gain are needed in pediatric cancer patients for better outcomes.
Absorptiometry, Photon ; Adipose Tissue ; Body Composition ; Body Fat Distribution ; Body Height ; Child ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hematologic Neoplasms ; Humans ; Prospective Studies

There is an evidence to suggest that testosterone is an important regulator of insulin sensitivity in men via effects on body fat distribution and insulin action in muscle. Observational studies have shown that metabolic syndrome is strongly associated with low testosterone levels in men and hypogonadism is likely a fundamental component of metabolic syndrome. Low testosterone could be not only an early marker of metabolic syndrome but also involved in the pathogenesis of disease processes from the prospective studies. Although obesity, insulin resistance and hypogonadism are certainly thought to be linked, the exact causal relationships among them remain unclear. Large population based prospective observational and intervention studies are needed to elucidate the exact causal relationship among testosterone and the components of metabolic syndrome.
Body Fat Distribution ; Humans ; Hypogonadism ; Insulin ; Insulin Resistance ; Clinical Trial ; Male ; Obesity ; Testosterone*

The current definition of metabolic syndrome focuses on the individual accumulation of multiple cardiovascular risk factors. However, metabolic syndrome is often also constantly accompanied with abnormal body fat distribution, tissue insulin resistance, low-grade inflammation, and dysfunctional secretion and regulation of adipokines, which have become new highlights in the research of the pathogenesis and clinical indices of metabolic syndrome.
Body Fat Distribution ; C-Reactive Protein ; metabolism ; Humans ; Lipofuscin ; metabolism ; Metabolic Syndrome ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association of menopausal specific fat distribution with metabolic risk factors.

METHODSTwo hundred Chinese women including 110 premenopausal women aged 39.7±9.2 y and 90 postmenopausal women aged 55.4±4.6 years were enrolled. Total and regional fat depots including android fat and gynoid fat were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The differences of regional fat depot between pre-and post menopausal women were compared by covariate analysis. The association of regional fat changes with metabolic risk factors were analyzed by logistic models.

RESULTSGynoid fat was significantly decreased in postmenopausal women after accounting for total fat changes. After adjusting covariates (including age, BMI, and %BF), the inverse associations of gynoid fat with metabolic risk factors still remained (OR=1.8-3.7,P<0.05). Furthermore, the interaction between menopause and gynoid fat was significantly in all logistic models (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONAndroid fat was increased whereas gynoid fat was decreased after menopause. Opposite to the detrimental effects of android fat, gynoid fat was inversely associated with metabolic risk factors, especially in postmenopausal women.

Adipose Tissue ; metabolism ; Adult ; Body Fat Distribution ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Menopause ; Middle Aged ; Risk Factors

BACKGROUND: Limited evidence exists regarding the relationship between central-to-peripheral fat ratio measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and subsequent cardiometabolic risk in both pediatric and adult populations. METHODS: The present cohort study investigated the relationship between DXA-measured body fat distribution and cardiometabolic parameters. The source population was 275 4th-6th graders (aged 9.6-12.6 years) in the northeast region of Japan (Shiokawa area in Kitakata). A 3-year follow-up was conducted to obtain complete information from 155 normal-weight children (87 boys and 68 girls). Normal-weight children were identified using sex- and age-specific international cut-offs for body mass index (BMI) based on adult BMI values of 25 kg/m and 18.5 kg/m, respectively. Body fat distribution was assessed using the trunk-to-appendicular fat ratio (TAR) and trunk-to-leg fat ratio (TLR) measured by DXA. RESULTS: In boys, systolic blood pressure (SBP) at follow-up showed a significant relationship with TAR at baseline after adjusting for age, height, pubic hair appearance, SBP, and whole body fat at baseline (β = 0.24, P < 0.05), and SBP also showed a significant relationship with TLR after adjusting for confounding factors including whole body fat (β = 0.25, P < 0.05). In girls, there were no significant relationships between blood pressure and TAR/TLR. CONCLUSION Body fat distribution in normal-weight boys predicted subsequent blood pressure levels in adolescence. The relationship between fat distribution and blood pressure was independent of fat volume.
Absorptiometry, Photon ; Adolescent ; Blood Pressure ; Body Fat Distribution ; Child ; Cohort Studies ; Humans ; Japan ; Male

BACKGROUND: The age-associated loss of subcutaneous fat with the accumulation of visceral fat consequently leads to several deleterious health outcomes such as dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, and metabolic syndrome. A recent research has shown that acute ultraviolet (UV) irradiation can reduce subcutaneous fat. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study is to investigate whether chronic UV radiation can reduce subcutaneous fat, increase visceral fat, and lead to additional metabolic changes. METHODS: We analyzed the abdominal computed tomography images of the 98 subjects attending our health examination center to calculate the amount of subcutaneous fat and visceral fat. Questionnaire surveys were conducted to analyze the degree of daily UV exposure, sunscreen use, and physical activity. Weight, height, blood pressure (BP), liver function test, lipid profiles, and glucose metabolism were also assessed. RESULTS: In the analysis of covariance adjusted for age, sex, and physical activity, the visceral fat amount in the high UV exposure group was significantly higher than that in the low UV exposure group (p=0.043), and the subcutaneous/total fat ratio in the high UV group was significantly lower than that in the low UV group (p=0.048). The high UV group had higher levels of fasting insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, systolic BP, and diastolic BP than the low UV exposure group (p=0.039, 0.012, 0.004, and 0.002, respectively). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that chronic UV radiation could change body fat distribution and lead to additional changes, including changes in glucose metabolism and BP.
Blood Pressure ; Body Fat Distribution* ; Cross-Sectional Studies* ; Dyslipidemias ; Fasting ; Glucose ; Homeostasis ; Insulin ; Insulin Resistance ; Intra-Abdominal Fat ; Liver Function Tests ; Metabolism* ; Motor Activity ; Subcutaneous Fat ; Surveys and Questionnaires

BACKGROUND: Recently, missense mutation of the B3-adrenergic receptor gene has been shown to be associated with early onset of type 2 diabetes, abdominal obesity and an increased capacity to gain weight. This study was performed to investigate the effects of Trp64Arg mutation in the B3-adrenergic receptor gene on body fat distribution and weight loss in obese subjects. METHODS: Determination of the B3-adrenergic receptor gene mutation with restriction enzyme digestion method, anthropometry, various biochemical studies, including oral glucose tolerance test were performed in 99 obese and 35 control subjects. Body fat distributions were also evaluated by computerized tomography before and after weight-reduction program. RESULTS: I) There were no differences in the frequencies of Trp64Arg mutation in the B3-adrenergic receptor gene between obese and control subjects (15.2 vs 12.9 %). 2) The obese subjects with Trp64Arg mutation had higher waist to hip circumference ratio(WHR) (0.93 +/- 0.05 vs 0.87 +/- 0.04, p<0.001), visceral fat area (115.0 +/- 25.9 vs 86.4 +/- 41.4 cm, p=0.01), but decreased plasma free fatty acid (618.0 +/- 163.1 vs 817.5 +/- 248.2 pEq/L, p=0.001), and triglyceride level (118.7 +/- 36.2 vs 158.4 +/- 105.8 mg/dL, p=0.015) than those without mutation. 3) The obese subjects with Trp64Arg mutation had smaller decreases in weight (-3.4 vs -5.1 kg, p<0.001), body fat content (-2.1 vs -3.8 %, p<0.001), WHR (-0.01 vs -0.03, p=0.025), and abdominal fat masses (total, subcutaneous, and visceral fat) after weight-reduction program than those without mutation. CONCLUSION: Trp64Arg mutation in the B3-adrenergic receptor gene might be one of genetic loci contributing to central obesity and a predictor of difficulty in losing weight in obese subjects.
Abdominal Fat ; Adipose Tissue* ; Anthropometry ; Body Fat Distribution* ; Digestion ; Genetic Loci ; Glucose Tolerance Test ; Hip ; Intra-Abdominal Fat ; Mutation, Missense ; Obesity ; Obesity, Abdominal ; Plasma ; Triglycerides ; Weight Loss*

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to obtain the accurate information on the obesity indices, such as body mass index(BMI), relative weight and waist-hip ratio(WHR) and to investigate their relationship in order to assess the childhood and adolescent obesity more appropriately. METHODS: In May, 1995, a total of 6943(male; 3469, female; 3474) students from primary, middle and high schools in Seoul were selected and each students height, weight, waist and hip circumference data were collected. RESULTS: The BMI increased with age in both sexes. From age 12 to 16, values of BMI 50th percentiles for females exceeded those for males. And the BMI 95th percentiles at the age of 13 to 14 years were higher for females than for males. The prevalence of obesity by relative weight was higher in males than in females(male ; 17.9%, female ; 13.1%). The WHR was higher in males than females in all age group and decreased with age in both sexes, showing more sharp reduction in females. Strong correlations were observed between the BMI and the relative weight, and the BMI and the relative weight correlated closely with WHR. The WHR was significanly higher in obese group' than in non-obese group. In the female obese group aged 6 to 11 years, no significant correlation was found between the relative weight and the WHR. CONCLUSIONS: There were significant relationships between the indices of obesity and body fat distribution. This study suggests that WHR as well as BMI and relative weight might be useful in assessing the childhood and adolescent obesity.
Adolescent* ; Body Fat Distribution ; Body Mass Index* ; Child* ; Female ; Hip ; Humans ; Male ; Obesity ; Pediatric Obesity ; Prevalence ; Seoul* ; Waist-Hip Ratio*