Trunk-to-limb fat ratio and its relationship with cardiometabolic risk factors in Korean children and adolescents
- Author:
Jong Han KIM
1
;
Jun Hong PARK
;
Hae Sang LEE
;
Young Suk SHIM
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original article
- From:Annals of Pediatric Endocrinology & Metabolism 2025;30(6):320-329
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Purpose:Childhood obesity is a growing global health concern associated with various cardiometabolic risk factors. The aim of this study was to examine the relationships between the trunk-to-limb fat ratio on dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and cardiometabolic risk factors in Korean children and adolescents.
Methods:Data for 891 boys and 770 girls aged 10-18 years from the 2009–2011 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were analyzed. The trunk-to-limb fat ratio was calculated using DXA measurements. Cardiometabolic risk factors including waist circumference, blood pressure, lipid profiles, and fasting glucose were assessed. The Lambda-Mu-Sigma method was used to evaluate the distribution of the trunk-to-limb fat ratio by sex and age. Correlations between the trunk-to-limb fat ratio and metabolic syndrome risk factors were analyzed using adjusted mean values and odds ratios (ORs).
Results:Trunk-to-limb fat ratio was significantly correlated with various cardiometabolic risk factors, including waist circumference, body mass index, and lipid profiles. The group with the highest trunk-to-limb fat ratio (≥95th percentile) demonstrated significantly increased odds of metabolic syndrome, particularly in girls (adjusted OR, 8.66). Sex-specific patterns in trunk-to-limb fat ratio with age were observed, with boys showing an increasing trend and girls maintaining a relatively stable ratio.
Conclusion:Trunk-to-limb fat ratio on DXA is significantly associated with cardiometabolic risk factors and metabolic syndrome in Korean children and adolescents. This measure provides valuable information beyond traditional anthropometric measurements and may be particularly useful in assessing metabolic health in young populations.
