Abstract
BackgroundPaediatric research analysing the relationship between the easy-to-use anthropometric measures for adiposity and cardiometabolic risk factors remains highly controversial in youth. Several studies suggest that only body mass index (BMI), a measure of relative weight, constitutes an accurate predictor, whereas others highlight the potential role of waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), waist circumference (Waist C), and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR). In this study, we examined the effectiveness of adding anthropometric measures of body fat distribution (Waist C Z Score, WHR Z Score and/or WHtR) to BMI Z Score to predict cardiometabolic risk factors in overweight and obese youth. We also examined the consistency of these associations with the “total fat mass + trunk/legs fat mass” and/or the “total fat mass + trunk fat mass” combinations, as assessed by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), the gold standard measurement of body composition.MethodsAnthropometric and DXA measurements of total and regional adiposity, as well as a comprehensive assessment of cardiometabolic, inflammatory and adipokines profiles were performed in 203 overweight and obese 7–17 year-old youths from the Paediatrics Clinic, Centre Hospitalier de Luxembourg.ResultsAdding only one anthropometric surrogate of regional fat to BMI Z Score improved the prediction of insulin resistance (WHR Z Score, R2: 45.9 %. Waist C Z Score, R2: 45.5 %), HDL-cholesterol (WHR Z Score, R2: 9.6 %. Waist C Z Score, R2: 10.8 %. WHtR, R2: 6.5 %), triglycerides (WHR Z Score, R2: 11.7 %. Waist C Z Score, R2: 12.2 %), adiponectin (WHR Z Score, R2: 14.3 %. Waist C Z Score, R2: 17.7 %), CRP (WHR Z Score, R2: 18.2 %. WHtR, R2: 23.3 %), systolic (WHtR, R2: 22.4 %), diastolic blood pressure (WHtR, R2: 20 %) and fibrinogen (WHtR, R2: 21.8 %). Moreover, WHR Z Score, Waist C Z Score and/or WHtR showed an independent significant contribution according to these models. These results were in line with the DXA findings.ConclusionsAdding anthropometric measures of regional adiposity to BMI Z Score improves the prediction of cardiometabolic, inflammatory and adipokines profiles in youth.
Highlights
Paediatric research analysing the relationship between the easy-to-use anthropometric measures for adiposity and cardiometabolic risk factors remains highly controversial in youth
The present study investigated the ability of the “body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (Waist C)”, “BMI and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR)” and/or “BMI and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR)” associations to predict cardiometabolic risk factors in overweight and obese youths
Inflammation, as assessed by C-reactive protein, had its prediction improved when WHR Z Score and/or WHtR were added to BMI Z Score
Summary
Paediatric research analysing the relationship between the easy-to-use anthropometric measures for adiposity and cardiometabolic risk factors remains highly controversial in youth. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Computed Tomography-Scan (CT-Scan) and Dual-energy X ray Absorptiometry (DXA) have been described as the gold standard of adiposity measurement and used to accurately assess body fat distribution and related comorbidities [9, 11, 12]. These techniques are still no accessible because of their high cost and irradiation in the case of CT-Scan measurements as well [11, 12]. In order to assess the comorbidities associated with overweight and obesity and abdomino-visceral adiposity in youths, the identification of simple and accurate anthropometric methods that can be used with efficiency as clinical and research tools is essential
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
