Obesity is an important public health problem in Japan and many other countries. There is a need for simple and reliable anthropometric measurement tools for visceral obesity to facilitate the prevention of metabolic syndrome (MS). Although studies have so far suggested waist circumference (WC) is the best indicator of visceral obesity, there is no reportof predictive value for improvement of MS. We conducted to analyze the relationship between anthropometric measurements and metabolic disorders in an interventional study of 358 subjects who participated in our program for visceral obesity based on health education and self-determination from 2000 to 2006. The intervention induced significant decreases in calorie intake and increases in physical activity of the participants, and resulted in significant decreases of 1.7 kg (3% of body weight at the baseline) of weight and 2.4 cm (3%) of WC, but body fat percent using bioelectrical impedance analysis found their body fat percentage increased 0.5% at the baseline. Weight-loss was significantly associated with improvement of metabolic measurements by our intervention. Weight and body mass index (BMI) showed the highest correlation coefficient for improvement of metabolic measurements, while WC and body fatpercentage showed lower values for improvement of metabolic measurements. In conclusion, weight-loss is the suitable indicator for the evaluation of the educational program, and 3-7% weight-loss for three months is recommended to improve visceral obesity and MS.
Obesity ; Weight ; Body fat ; Morphine Sulfate ; Syndrome

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

Obesity was characterized in Korean elementary students using different obesity assessment tests on 103 overweight elementary students from three schools of Jeonbuk Province. The body mass index (BMI) and obesity index (OI) were compared, and the data using DEXA and CT were compared with the data using BIA and a tape measure. The results of this study are as follows: first, 27 students who were classified as obese by OI were classified as overweight by BMI, and 3 students who were classified as standard weight by BMI were classified as overweight by OI. Secondly, by DEXA and BIA measurements, there was 1.51% difference in body fat percentage (boys 1.66%, girls 1.17%) and the difference in body fat mass between boys and girls was 0.77 kg (boys 0.85 kg, girls 0.59 kg), but those differences in body fat percentage and mass were not statistically significant. Thirdly, the average total abdominal fat (TAF) measured by CT scans of obese children was more significantly related with subcutaneous fat (r = 0.983, P < 0.01) than visceral fat (r = 0.640, P < 0.01). Also, TAF were highest significant with waist circumference by a tape measure (r = 0.744, P < 0.01). In summary, as there are some differences of assessment results between two obesity test methods (BMI, OI), we need more definite standards to determine the degree of obesity. The BIA seems to be the most simple and effective way to measure body fat mass, whereas waist/hip ratio (WHR) using a tape measurer is considered to be the most effective method for assessing abdominal fat in elementary students.
Abdominal Fat ; Adipose Tissue ; Anthropometry ; Body Mass Index ; Child ; Humans ; Intra-Abdominal Fat ; Obesity ; Overweight ; Subcutaneous Fat ; Waist Circumference

This study was performed to examine the diet effect of green coffee bean extract on body fat reduction. Overweight/obese women (body mass index > 23 kg/m2 or body fat > 27%) who were not diagnosed any type of disease were included in this study and subjects were randomly assigned to green coffee bean extract group (n = 23) or placebo group (n = 20). We measured anthropometric parameters, abdominal fat distribution by computed tomography and blood components before and after the 8-weeks intervention period. After supplementation, green coffee bean extract group showed a significant reduction of body weight (p < 0.01), body fat percent (p < 0.01), total fat area at L1 vertebra (-4.8%, p < 0.05) and visceral fat area at L4 vertebra was(-4.7%, p < 0.05). In addition, total fat area and visceral fat area at L1 vertebra decreased significantly in green coffee bean extract group compared with placebo group (p < 0.05, p < 0.05 respectively). The result of present study demonstrated that the supplementation of green coffee bean extract for 8 weeks can give beneficial effects on body fat reduction and visceral fat accumulation.
Abdominal Fat ; Adipose Tissue ; Body Weight ; Coffee ; Diet ; Female ; Humans ; Intra-Abdominal Fat ; Spine

PURPOSE: The subcutaneous fat tissue is separated into 2 layers by the subcutaneous fascia: the superficial and deep fat layers. The two fat layers have different structures according to the body regions. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the distribution and pattern of the two fat layers in the human body by computed tomography (CT) and histological analysis according to age, sex, anatomical region, and body mass index (BMI). METHODS: This study included 200 males and 200 females who underwent 64-channel dynamic CT in our hospital. The patients were divided into 5 groups according to 10 years of their ages separately in either male or female gender. The thickness of the superficial and deep fat layers was measured in the abdominal, pelvic, and femoral regions, and we analyzed the values. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software. The 3 x 3-cm whole fat layers were harvested from the same sites of 3 cadavers for histological examination, and one cadaver was dissected for gross evaluation. RESULTS: The total thickness of subcutaneous fat tissue was greater in females than in males, and the ratio of the superficial fat layer to the whole fat layer was higher in females. The superficial fat layer became thinner with increasing age in males. As BMI increased, the total fat layer became thicker, and the superficial fat layer became thicker than the deep fat layer. On histological examination, the superficial fat layer had small adipose lobules and showed a densely distributed pattern in the abdominal region, whereas in the femoral region, it had large adipose lobules and showed a sparsely distributed pattern. There were no significant differences in the histological findings of the deep fat layer between the 3 body regions. CONCLUSION: Significant differences in histological findings of the two fat layers were found in relation to age, sex, anatomical region, and BMI. The superficial fat layer became thinner with increasing age in males, but it was constant in females. As BMI increased, the total thickness of subcutaneous fat tissue became greater, and the superficial fat layer became thicker than the deep fat layer. Our measurements can be used to understand the characteristics of the fat layers in relation to age, sex, anatomical region, and BMI.
Body Mass Index ; Body Regions ; Cadaver ; Female ; Human Body ; Humans ; Lipectomy ; Male ; Obesity ; Subcutaneous Fat

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

Objectives: To elucidate the effects of risk factors for arteriosclerosis on estimated VO2max and obtain useful information to advise enterprise employees. Subjects: One hundred and nineteen male and 87 female enterprise employees underwent exercise tests for health evaluation in the Total Health Promotion Plan at the Fukui Occupational Health Center between April 1990 and March 1993. Methods: Multiple regression analysis was performed using estimated VO2max as the dependent variable, and percent body fat, blood pressure, blood tests, habitual physical activity, number of cigarettes smoked and alcohol consumption as independent variables in the first and second year, and for yearly changes in these variables. Results: The significant variables selected were as follows: in the first year, systolic blood pressure and percent body fat in males, and age in females; in the second year, diastolic blood pressure and habitual physical activity in males and systolic blood pressure in females; for yearly changes in each variable, cigarettes in males and percent body fat in females were selected. Conclusion: It was suggested that guidance to reduce cigarettes in males, and to keep a proper percent body fat in females would be effective in maintaining the estimated VO2max.
percent ; Body fat ; Blood Pressure ; CIGARETTES (CONTAINING TOBACCO) ; Total

Complementary Alternative Medicine (CAM) is broadly used as an adjunct treatment for patients to treat various kinds of disease, prevent disease and to sustain and enhance quality of life of the users. The study is aimed to investigate the association between CAM uses, Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) and anthropometric indices among workers or staffs in Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA) Gong Badak Campus, Kuala Terengganu. A total of 300 subjects participated in this study and completed the malay version of modified HRQol (SF-12) questionnaires. Anthropometric measurements among the subjects were done. Independent t-test, One-way ANOVA and Pearson correlation were used to test the association and the hypotheses. The prevalence of CAM users was 37.3%. The results showed that bodily pain score domain was significantly higher among non-CAM users. Overall, male had higher Mental Health Composite Score (MCS) score than female. Physical Health Composite Score (PCS) was only correlated negatively with BMI among non-CAM users but negative correlated with body fat percentage in both CAM and non-CAM users. As conclusion, HRQoL had significant negative correlation with body fat percentage among CAM users. No association was found between CAM use and HRQoL scores.
CAM use ; HRQoL ; MCS ; PCS ; body fat percentage

Various forms of fermented soybean products are well documented for their health benefits. The efficacy of anti-obesogenic effect of Doenjang, one of the most commonly used seasonings in Korean cuisine, has been reported only in animal models; thus, an evaluation of Doenjang needs to be conducted in human studies. We aimed to test the hypothesis that Doenjang supplementation reduces body weight and changes body composition in overweight adults. A total of 51 overweight adults participated in this study. A group of males with BMI > or = 23 kg/m2 and waist to hip ratio (WHR) > or = 0.90, and a group of females with BMI > or = 23 kg/m2 and WHR > or = 0.85 were randomly assigned to either a Doenjang supplement (9.9 g dry/day) group or a placebo group for a 12-week randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled study. Anthropometric parameters, abdominal fat distribution by computerized tomography (CT) and blood components were measured before and after the intervention period. After the 12-week study, the Doenjang supplementation group had significant reductions in body weight (kg), body fat mass (kg) and body fat (%) compared to the placebo group, the supplementation of Doenjang resulted in a significant reduction in visceral fat (cm2), although no changes were observed in total and subcutaneous fat are as (cm2), serum lipid profiles and dietary intakes. The present study demonstrated that daily supplementation of 9.9 g dry/day of Doenjang for 12 weeks reduces body weight and visceral fat in overweight adults.
Abdominal Fat ; Adipose Tissue ; Adult ; Animals ; Body Composition ; Body Weight ; Female ; Humans ; Insurance Benefits ; Intra-Abdominal Fat ; Male ; Overweight ; Seasons ; Soybeans ; Subcutaneous Fat ; Waist-Hip Ratio

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the prognostic significance of changes in body composition in patients with newly diagnosed hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients (n=178) newly diagnosed with HCC participated in the study between 2007 and 2012. Areas of skeletal muscle and abdominal fat were directly measured using a three-dimensional workstation. Cox proportional-hazards modes were used to estimate the effect of baseline variables on overall survival. The inverse probability of treatmentweighting (IPTW) method was used to minimize confounding bias. RESULTS: Cutoff values for sarcopenia, obtained from receiver-operating characteristic curves, were defined as skeletal muscle index at the third lumbar vertebra of ≤ 45.8 cm/m2 for males and ≤ 43.0 cm/m2 for females. Sarcopenia patients were older, more likely to be female, and had lower body mass index. Univariable analysis showed that the presence of sarcopenia and visceral to subcutaneous fat area ratio (VSR) were significantly associatedwith prognosis. The multivariable analyses revealed that VSR was predictive of overall survival. However, in the multivariable Cox model adjusted by IPTW, sarcopenia, not VSR, were associated with overall survival. CONCLUSION: The presence of sarcopenia at HCC diagnosis is independently associated with survival.
Abdominal Fat ; Bias (Epidemiology) ; Body Composition ; Body Mass Index ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Intra-Abdominal Fat ; Liver* ; Male ; Methods ; Muscle, Skeletal ; Prognosis* ; Sarcopenia* ; Spine ; Subcutaneous Fat