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PubMedDate not supplied

The measurement of body fat distribution using somatotype photographs and computer-assisted imaging techniques.

A computer-assisted image analysis technique has been devised which allows the measurement of body fat distribution from archived somatotype photographs. This report describes the technique, which enables useful measurements to be extracted from somatotype photographs which were taken over 50 years ago. This paper describes the process of digitization of photographs, the measurement of body diameters using computer-assisted edge detection, the quantitative analysis of measurement error in this procedure, and validation techniques employed.

Adipose Tissue↗

PubMed1994

Sex hormones, body fat distribution, resting metabolic rate and glucose-induced thermogenesis in premenopausal obese women.

The topographic specificity of upper body obesity is known to be at the origin of a series of metabolic complications. In contrast to this negative effect, women with abdominal obesity usually can lose more body weight than women with gluteal-femoral obesity. In order to find some contributive explanations for this effect, we studied resting metabolic rate (RMR) and glucose-induced thermogenesis (GIT) in both types of obesity. Since upper body obesity is characterized by androgen excess, a relationship between body fat distribution, sex hormones, RMR and indices of thermogenesis was studied. Of 39 obese women who were recruited (mean age: 32.4 +/- 9.3 years), 30 were compared for analysis. Upper body obesity (waist-to-hip ratio (WHR): 0.84 +/- 0.02; body mass index (BMI) 36.2: 36.2 +/- 6.0) is not characterized by differences in RMR, whereas glucose-induced thermogenesis is significantly higher in this subgroup (P < 0.008), expressed as percentage increase above RMR (18.3 +/- 8.5 vs. 11.9 +/- 3.6%) or as percentage of metabolisable energy intake (8.2 +/- 3.3 vs. 5.8 +/- 2.3%). Correlation coefficient data show that GIT determinants are closely related to WHR (r = 0.43; P < 0.01) and not to BMI. Resting metabolic rate, both in absolute terms and corrected for fat-free mass (FFM), is not related to indices of androgenicity, but is negatively related to serum oestradiol levels; this negative relationship with oestradiol disappears when RMR is corrected for both fat mass (FM) and FFM. GIT parameters are not related to free testosterone or oestradiol, regardless of the phase of the menstrual cycle.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adipose Tissue↗

PubMed1988

Relationship of anthropometric measurements of body fat distribution to metabolic profile in premenopausal women.

Regional fat distribution has emerged as an independent predictor of metabolic aberrations including glucose intolerance, hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance, hyperlipidemia and hypertension. We investigated the comparative efficacy of various body fat distribution indices in predicting these aberrations. The relationship of circumferential ratios, skinfold measurements, and computerized tomography (CT)-derived indices of intra- and extra-abdominal fat distribution to the metabolic variables and blood pressure was examined in a cohort of healthy premenopausal women. All indices denoting preponderance of fat in the central, upper body or abdominal region were predictive of the metabolic profile. The subscapular skinfold, subscapular-triceps ratio, waist-hip ratio (WHR), and the CT derived intra-abdominal fat area (CT-IFA) were closely related to alterations in glucose and insulin concentrations independent of age and obesity. The WHR and CT-IFA were better predictors of plasma triglyceride levels and blood pressure profile and thus the overall aberrations than skinfold measurements. Despite a high degree of intercorrelation between the anthropometric indices measured, only the relationship of WHR to CT-IFA remained significant after adjusting for the effects of age and degree of adiposity, suggesting that WHR indexes not only the relative distribution of truncal to gluteofemoral subcutaneous fat but also the abundance of intra-abdominal or visceral fat depots. The greater reproducibility of CT-IFA and WHR also suggests that these measurements are the most useful in predicting the regional obesity-associated metabolic abnormalities with their morbidity and mortality risks.

Adipose Tissue↗

PubMed1993

Psychosocial correlates of body fat distribution in black and white young adults.

We examined the association of fat distribution with a number of personality attributes and behaviours in a sample of 5115 young blacks and whites. Body fat distribution, measured by the ratio of waist-to-hip circumferences (WHR), was significantly and positively associated with cigarette smoking and negatively associated with education in all of the race and sex groups. WHR was positively associated with alcohol consumption in men and black women and with marijuana use in women. A number of psychosocial factors assessing personality attributes and behaviours were also examined, including the Cook-Medley hostility score, type A/B behaviour pattern, life events, social support, financial situation, and diagnosis of a nervous, emotional or mental disorder. In age- and BMI-adjusted analyses, only the Cook-Medley hostility score and a financial situation score were significantly and positively associated with WHR in all race and sex groups. In multivariate linear regression, these psychosocial factors were associated with WHR in some of the race and sex groups, accounting for less than 1% of the variation in WHR in any one group. These results suggest that fat distribution is weakly associated with these personality attributes and behaviours.

Adipose Tissue↗

PubMed2001

Tracking body fat distribution during growth: using measurements at two occasions vs one.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether within-individual variation is a factor in the generally reported poor tracking of central body fat distribution (CBFD) during development and whether two measurements of CBFD during each measurement occasion would improve the estimate of tracking over time. METHODS: A longitudinal study compared the results of two measurements of body fat (BF) and CBFD during each measurement occasion to the results of one measurement of BF and CBFD during each occasion every 4 months over 1-3 y. A total of 345 boys and 333 girls in three age cohorts of 8, 11 and 14 y at baseline were examined. BF variables were: body mass index (BMI); fat mass and percentage body fat from bioelectrical impedance; two skinfold sums; and abdominal circumference. CBFD variables were: waist/hip and waist/thigh ratios; conicity; and log upper-lower skinfold ratio. RESULTS: Three-year tracking of BF varied from 0.79 to 0.90 for one- and from 0.81 to 0.93 for two-occasion measurements showing no apparent sex- or cohort-effects. Three-year tracking of CBFD was lower than that of BF (0.68-0.75), but improved significantly with two-occasion measurements (0.75-0.82). CONCLUSIONS: Within-individual variation is a significant factor in reported low tracking of CBFD in childhood. Estimates of tracking currently in the literature may underestimate the predictive value of CBFD, possibly because this research has used one-occasion measurement. The increased use of two-occasion measurement should significantly improve the tracking of CBFD during development and provide a more realistic understanding of its predictive value.

Adipose Tissue↗

PubMed1994

Body-fat distribution and changes in the atherogenic risk-factor profile in obese adolescent girls during weight reduction.

We examined the effect of the pattern of body-fat distribution on the modification of atherogenic risk factors in obese adolescent girls during weight reduction. During the 6-wk program, which included a mixed diet of 4321 kJ/d and intensive physical exercise, the girls lost 8.5 +/- 2.4 kg and their waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) decreased from 0.86 +/- 0.05 to 0.81 +/- 0.05 (P < 0.01). Significant reductions were observed for total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, uric acid, fasting insulin, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Girls with abdominal obesity (WHR > 0.88) had greater reductions in serum cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and uric acid than did girls with gluteal-femoral obesity (WHR < 0.81). In a multivariate-regression analysis these differences could be partly explained by the greater weight loss of the girls with abdominal obesity. These results suggest that during weight reduction girls with abdominal obesity exhibit more beneficial changes in the atherogenic-risk-factor profile than do girls with gluteal-femoral obesity, partly because of a greater weight loss.

Adipose Tissue↗

PubMed1998

Body fat distribution, insulin mediated suppression of non-esterified fatty acids and plasma triglycerides in obese subjects.

Triglyceride levels and free fatty acid metabolism are influenced by body fat distribution. To test whether the pattern of fat distribution in obese subjects results in distinct insulin mediated suppression of non-esterified fatty acids which could account for differences in plasma triglycerides, we studied 59 obese subjects who were classified according to waist-to-hip ratio. Non-esterified fatty acids and insulin response to a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test were higher in abdominal obesity. Total non-esterified fatty acids response, after adjustment for sex, showed a positive association with waist-to hip ratio (r = 0.292; p < 0.05). The abdominal obese group had higher fasting triglycerides (1.74+/-0.83 versus 1.11+/-0.71 mmol/L; p = 0.003) and lower glucose/insulin ratio (5.2+/-2.3 versus 7.1+/-2.4; p = 0.003). Stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that triglyceride levels are explained by fasting and 120 min non-esterified fatty acids and by glucose/insulin ratio. We conclude that abdominal obesity is associated with a higher resistance to insulin mediated suppression of non-esterified fatty acids in obese subjects. Variation of triglyceride concentrations in obesity is dependent on both fasting and 120 min non-esterified fatty acids as well as on insulin sensitivity to glucose utilization.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1998

Relationships between an index of body fat distribution (based on waist and hip circumferences) and stature, and biochemical complications in obese children.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical utility of a new age-adjusted measure of body fat distribution (based on waist and hip circumferences) and stature, in relation to biochemical complications in obese children. DESIGN: Cross-sectional, clinical study. The formula to calculate the common standard deviation score (SDS) of waist-to-hip ratio/height (WHR/Ht) was obtained from the data of control children. The relationship between WHR/Ht SDS, as the age-adjusted measure, in obese children and their clinical laboratory data was evaluated. SUBJECTS: Outpatient obese Japanese children (102 boys and 75 girls) and control children (508 boys and 549 girls), ranging in age from 6-15 y. MEASUREMENTS: Height, body weight, waist girth, hip girth, triceps and subscapular skinfold thicknesses, as anthropometric measures. Percent overweight, percent body fat, waist girth, WHR and WHR/Ht SDS as criteria for obesity. Clinical laboratory analyses for fasting blood samples of obese children. RESULTS: The WHR/Ht SDS closely correlated with age in obese children, thus reflecting the progress of abdominal obesity during growth. The obese boys were more hyperlipidaemic than the girls were, although the percent overweight was similar in both genders. The percent overweight, percent body fat, waist girth and WHR/Ht SDS all correlated well with triglyceride (TG), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and insulin in boys, whereas only waist girth and WHR/Ht SDS showed a close correlation with TG and insulin in girls. The obese subjects were subdivided according to the number of abnormal values observed in TG, ALT and insulin. For obese boys, all five indices of obesity were higher in the groups with complications than in the group without. In the girls, only the WHR/Ht SDS constantly differed between subgroups. WHR/Ht SDS most obviously distinguished the groups with complications from the other group with a wide margin of difference (2-fold in boys and > 2-fold in girls) in the mean values. CONCLUSION: The WHR/Ht SDS can serve as an index predicting the occurrence of biochemical complications in obese children ranging from the age of 6-15 y.

Adipose Tissue↗

PubMed1997

Effects of Trp64Arg mutation in the beta 3-adrenergic receptor gene on weight loss, body fat distribution, glycemic control, and insulin resistance in obese type 2 diabetic patients.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of Trp64Arg mutation in the beta 3-adrenergic receptor gene on weight loss, body fat distribution, glycemic control, and insulin resistance in obese type 2 diabetic patients. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We measured body weight, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), adjusted resting metabolic rate, fasting blood glucose, fasting serum insulin levels, insulin resistance index (fasting glucose x fasting insulin/22.5), and HbA1c levels before and after 12 weeks of obesity treatment in 61 obese women with type 2 diabetes. The MvaI polymorphism of the beta 3-adrenergic receptor gene was determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. RESULTS: Of obese type 2 diabetic patients, those with the mutation (n = 24) had a higher WHR (P < 0.001), a lower adjusted metabolic rate, and higher blood glucose levels, serum insulin levels, insulin resistance index (P < 0.001), and HbA1c levels (P = 0.016). Furthermore, patients with the mutation had smaller decreases in body weight, WHR, insulin resistance index, and HbA1c levels after the weight-loss program compared with patients without the mutation (n = 37), even though food intake, exercise, and serum thyroid hormone levels were similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: These present findings show that the Trp64Arg allele of the beta 3-adrenergic receptor gene may predict difficulty in losing body weight, lowering WHR, and improving glycemic control and insulin resistance in obese patients with type 2 diabetes.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Phenotypic heterogeneity in body fat distribution in patients with atypical Werner's syndrome due to heterozygous Arg133Leu lamin A/C mutation.

CONTEXT: A heterozygous missense mutation substituting arginine at position 133 to leucine in the lamin A/C protein has been reported in two young women with clinical features of short stature, bird-like faces, and early onset of aging processes. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to carry out detailed phenotyping of these two women by evaluating the pattern of fat loss using anthropometry, dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and study metabolic abnormalities in glucose and lipid metabolism. DESIGN: The study consisted of descriptive case reports. SETTING: The study was conducted at a referral center. PATIENTS: Patient 1 was a 23-yr-old African-American female with progeroid features. Patient 2 was a 24-yr-old Caucasian female with generalized lipodystrophy, hypertriglyceridemia, and severe insulin resistance diabetes who required more than 200 U of insulin daily. INTERVENTIONS: There were no interventions. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Body fat distribution to characterize pattern of lipodystrophy and nuclear morphology abnormalities in skin fibroblasts were studied. RESULTS: Patient 1 had normal body fat (27%) by DEXA. However, MRI revealed relative paucity of sc fat in the distal extremities, with preservation of sc truncal fat. She had impaired glucose tolerance and elevated postprandial serum insulin levels. Patient 2, in contrast, had only 11.6% body fat as determined by DEXA and had generalized loss of sc and intraabdominal fat on MRI. Skin fibroblasts from patient 2 showed marked abnormal nuclear morphology, compared with those from patient 1. Despite the deranged nuclear morphology, the lamin A/C remained localized to the nuclear envelope, and the nuclear DNA remained within the nucleus. CONCLUSIONS: Atypical Werner's syndrome associated with Arg133Leu mutation in the LMNA gene presents with a phenotypically heterogeneous disorder. Furthermore, the severity of metabolic complications seems to correlate with the extent of lipodystrophy.

Adipose Tissue↗

PubMed2005

Association between common polymorphisms of the proopiomelanocortin gene and body fat distribution: a family study.

Rare mutations in the proopiomelanocortin (POMC) gene cause severe early-onset childhood obesity. However, it is unknown whether common variants in POMC are responsible for variation in body weight or fat distribution within the commonly observed range in the population. We tested for association between three polymorphisms spanning the POMC gene and obesity phenotypes in 1,428 members of 248 families. There was significant association between genotypes at the C8246T (P < 0.0001) and C1032G (P = 0.003) polymorphisms and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) corrected for age, sex, smoking, exercise, and alcohol consumption. Each T allele at C8246T (or G allele at C1032G) was associated with a 0.2-SD-higher WHR in a codominant fashion. When WHR was additionally corrected for BMI, thus providing a measure of body fat distribution throughout the range of BMI, there remained significant evidence for association with both markers that was of similar magnitude and statistical significance. There was no association between genotype at any polymorphism and BMI or plasma leptin level. These data show that genetic variants at the POMC locus influence body fat distribution within the normal range, suggesting a novel role for POMC in metabolic regulation.

Adipose Tissue↗

PubMed2001

Obesity, body fat distribution, insulin sensitivity and Islet beta-cell function as explanations for metabolic diversity.

Studies of metabolic processes have been enhanced by our understanding of the relationships among obesity, body fat distribution, insulin sensitivity and islet beta-cell function. Thus, we have learned that although insulin resistance is usually associated with obesity, even lean subjects can be insulin resistant due to the accumulation of visceral fat. Insulin sensitivity and beta-cell function are also intimately linked. The hyperbolic relationship between these two parameters explains why insulin-resistant individuals have markedly enhanced insulin responses, whereas subjects who are insulin sensitive exhibit very low responses. Failure to take into account this relationship will lead to erroneous conclusions. By accounting for this important interaction, it has been clearly demonstrated that subjects at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes (older individuals, women with a history of gestational diabetes or polycystic ovary syndrome, subjects with impaired glucose tolerance and first-degree relatives of individuals with type 2 diabetes) have impaired beta-cell function. Furthermore, the progression from normal glucose tolerance to impaired glucose tolerance and type 2 diabetes is associated with declining insulin secretion.

Adipose Tissue↗

PubMed1997

Body fat distribution, insulin resistance, and metabolic diseases.

Obesity has now developed into a world-wide epidemic and is associated with large economic costs and prevalent diseases, particularly with central body fat distribution. Insulin resistance almost invariably occurs, and might be a major trigger for disease-generating mechanisms either directly or via generation of other disease precursors ("risk factors"). The hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis seems to be hypersensitive in abdominal obesity, a statement supported by increased responses to challenges from the adrenals to central regulatory centers. Furthermore, the feedback control by central glucocorticoid receptors, probably a secondary, functional consequence of an elevated HPA axis activity, because the receptor gene appears normal. Secretion of sex steroid and growth hormones is diminished, which might be consequence of elevated HPA axis activity. Hyperandrogenicity in women is probably of adrenal origin and another consequence of the sensitivity of the HPA axis. The endocrine abnormalities thus are periodically elevated cortisol and androgen (women) concentrations, as well as low secretions of gender-specific steroid and growth hormones. Since elevated cortisol, and low sex-steroid and growth hormone secretions, probably direct storage fat to visceral depots, the multiple endocrine abnormalities probably cause enlargement of these depots. Furthermore, these hormonal abnormalities most likely at least contribute to the creation of insulin resistance with additional effects of elevated fatty acids from central fat depots, which are sensitive to lipid mobilization agents. This chain of events indicates the central role of the hypersensitive HPA axis. Known causes of sensitization of this axis have been identified in subjects with abdominal obesity, including depression, anxiety, alcohol, and smoking. A common cause of HPA axis activation is perceived stress, with a depressive, defeatist, or "helplessness" reaction. In subjects with abdominal preponderance of body fat stores a number of psychosocial and socioeconomics handicaps have been identified, hypothetically predisposing to such reactions. In a primate model (monkeys), mild psychosocial stress is followed by identical psychological, endocrine, anthropometric, and metabolic abnormalities as in humans with abdominal preponderance of body fat stores, including early signs of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. These findings strongly support the interpretation that a stress reaction activating the HPA axis is involved also in the human syndrome. Interventions with normalization of the endocrine perturbations are followed by clear improvements of the multiple abnormalities in both clinical, experimental, cellular and molecular studies, suggesting that the pathogenesis of abdominal preponderance of body fat and its endocrine, anthropometric and metabolic abnormalities are indeed consequences of the endocrine abnormalities identified.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Body fat distribution is a determinant of the high-density lipoprotein response to dietary fat and cholesterol in women.

We have conducted a dietary trial that addressed the factors influencing the variability in plasma lipids in response to dietary fat and cholesterol with a focus on the effects of gender and body fat distribution. Sixty-seven women and 53 men were selected so that overall men and women had a similar mean age, LDL cholesterol, and body mass index. After a 2-week low-fat period subjects were given two liquid supplements for 3 weeks each, one that contained 31 to 40 g fat and 650 to 845 mg cholesterol, and one that was fat free. Measurements included plasma lipids and lipoproteins, glucose, insulin, hepatic triglyceride lipase activity, apolipoprotein E polymorphism, and three indexes of body fat (body mass index, waist girth, and waist-hip ratio). In response to dietary fat and cholesterol supplementation only the changes in HDL cholesterol, especially in HDL2, differed between the sexes. Although on univariate analysis lipoprotein changes were predicted by baseline lipoprotein levels, body mass index, waist girth, waist-hip ratio, hepatic triglyceride lipase activity, and insulin, multiple regression showed only waist-hip ratio to predict changes in HDL2 cholesterol in women and body mass index and baseline HDL2 cholesterol in men. Changes in LDL were predicted by baseline LDL cholesterol in women and apolipoprotein E phenotype and age in men. These studies explain much of the variability that individuals show in lipoprotein changes, especially in the more desirable changes in cholesterol transport in HDL2, in response to eating saturated fat and cholesterol.

Adipose Tissue↗

PubMed2002

Effects of pioglitazone on metabolic parameters, body fat distribution, and serum adiponectin levels in Japanese male patients with type 2 diabetes.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of pioglitazone on clinical and metabolic parameters, body fat distribution, and serum adiponectin, a recently discovered antiatherosclerotic hormone, in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes. Ten male patients aged 40 to 66 (57.7 +/- 7.4) years, who were being treated with dietary therapy alone (n = 7) or with a stable dose of sulfonylurea (n = 3), were studied at baseline and after 3 months of pioglitazone treatment (30 mg/d). Body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), serum insulin, adiponectin, and lipid profile were measured. Also, visceral adipose tissue area (VAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue area (SAT) at the umbilical level were determined by computed tomographic (CT) scanning. Mean blood pressure (109 +/- 14 to 101 +/- 10 mm Hg), FPG (8.6 +/- 1.4 to 7.0 +/- 1.0 mmol/L), serum insulin (54 +/- 11 to 30 +/- 8 pmol/L, P <.01 for all), and HbA1c (6.7 +/- 0.8 to 6.1% +/- 0.6%, P =.013) decreased significantly during 3 months of pioglitazone treatment. BMI (26.4 +/- 3.2 to 27.0 +/- 3.5 kg/m2), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (124 +/- 24 to 138 +/- 24 mg/dL) and SAT (155 +/- 69 to 179 +/- 81cm2, P <.05 for all) increased, while triglycerides and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol did not change significantly after 3 months of pioglitazone treatment. Serum adiponectin level increased in all patients (4.8 +/- 1.7 to 14.4 +/- 2.1 microg/mL, P =.005). VAT tended to increase (165 +/- 38 to 180 +/- 46 cm2) and VAT/SAT ratio tended to decrease (1.2 +/- 0.3 to 1.1 +/- 0.3), but these differences did not reach statistical significance. These results suggest that pioglitazone exerts good glycemic and blood pressure control despite increased BMI and SAT in Japanese male patients with type 2 diabetes. It is also suggested that pioglitazone may have an antiatherosclerotic effect by increasing serum adiponectin level.

Adiponectin↗

PubMed2006

Study design of the Multicultural Community Health Assessment Trial (M-CHAT): a comparison of body fat distribution in four distinct populations.

OBJECTIVE: To outline the study design of the Multicultural Community Health Assessment Trial (M-CHAT). The purpose of the study is to compare the relationship between visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and total body fat in men and women of Aboriginal, Chinese, and South Asian origin with a similar group of men and women of European origin. DESIGN: A total of 200 apparently healthy men and women between the ages of 30 and 65 will be recruited from each of the local Aboriginal, Chinese, and South Asian and European communities. Within each sex/ethnic group, an equal representation of participants will have a body mass index between 18.5 to 24.9, 25 to 29.9 and >30. Each participant will undergo an assessment for VAT, total body fat, metabolic risk factors, physical activity, diet, quality of life, and sociodemographics. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome of this study is the relationship between VAT and total body fat in each of the Aboriginal, Chinese, and South Asian cohorts; this relationship will be compared to the European cohort after adjustment for age, sex, socioeconomic status, smoking status, physical activity, diet, and body mass index. CONCLUSIONS: This study will be the first to identify differences in body fat distribution in these populations. We anticipate that in populations of Aboriginal, Chinese, and South Asian origin, a greater proportion of total body fat will be deposited as VAT compared to those of European origin.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

Resting metabolic rate, body-fat distribution, and visceral fat in obese women.

Resting metabolic rate (RMR) was evaluated in 27 obese women aged 16-49 y [body mass index (in kg/m2) 27-51] by indirect calorimetry. Visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue areas, body fat, and fat-free mass (FFM) were measured by a single scan with computed tomography (CT); the waist-hip circumference ratio (W/H) was also used. Comparison between the lowest and the highest RMR quartiles--adjusted for age and FFM--revealed a higher W/H in the highest quartile (0.78 +/- 0.08 vs 0.88 +/- 0.08; P < 0.05). No difference was observed in CT indexes. No differences in W/H were observed after RMR was adjusted for age, FFM, and body fat. Our results point out that RMR, adjusted for FFM and age, correlates with body-fat distribution as evaluated by W/H, but not with visceral fat, as evaluated by CT. Correlations disappeared after RMR was adjusted for body fat as well.

Adipose Tissue↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Evidence for bone mass and body fat distribution relationship in postmenopausal obese women.

The measurement of bone mass, a reliable predictor of osteoporotic fractures, in obese subjects has yielded conflicting results and bone mass has been reported to be elevated, normal or decreased. These observations indicate that factors other than body weight may be involved in the less risk for osteoporosis in obese subjects. In order to clarify the role of body fat distribution on bone density we studied sixty postmenopausal overweight/obese women with Body Mass Index (BMI) over 25 kg/m(2). Thirty five age-matched, nonobese postmenopausal women, served as controls. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured at the proximal and ultradistal non dominant forearm using a double energy X-ray absorption (DEXA) apparatus. The waist/hip circumferences ratio (WHR) was used, in obese group, as an anthropometric estimation of the abdominal (WHR>0.85) to lower-extremity (WHR>0.85) fat proportion. The results were analyzed by Student t-test, ANOVA, and multiple linear regression analysis. No difference was found in BMD between obese group and controls, but a highly significant (P<0.001) positive correlation has been documented between proximal and ultradistal radius bone mineral density and waist/hip ratio in the obese group. Instead not significant correlation was found with BMI. Regional fat topography may influence the bone mass independently of total adiposity and visceral fat was the primary parameter accounting for higher bone mineral density values. These finding suggest that women with android-like obesity are protected from osteoporosis.

Journal Article↗