Comparison of Field Measures Versus Imaging and Total Versus Regional Body Composition in Predicting Inflammation in Preadolescent Hispanic Girls

Abstract

ImportanceC‐reactive protein (CRP) is an inflammatory marker linked with obesity, particularly abdominal obesity, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in adults. The optimal measure of adiposity to predict CRP in children is not known.ObjectiveTo compare total and regional estimates of body composition, by imaging and field techniques, for the prediction of CRP among Hispanic girls.DesignThis observational, cross‐sectional study examined participants from the STAR Study between October 2013 and November 2016.SettingA population‐based study performed at a research laboratory, with subject recruitment performed in schools and pediatric clinics in the greater area of Tucson, Arizona USA.ParticipantsHealthy girls aged 9 to 12 years, with no known metabolic disorders, were recruited. Of the 239 Hispanic subjects who provided informed consent to participate, 232 had complete data and were included in the current analysis.Main Outcomes and MeasuresStandard anthropometric techniques were used to measure height, weight, and waist circumference. Densitometric measures of total and regional lean and fat depots by dual energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA) and peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) were completed. Fasting serum CRP was measured by the Beckman Coulter AU5812 Clinical Chemistry Analyzer. Associations between each body composition parameter and CRP were tested using linear regression (log‐transformed, continuous CRP) and ordinal logistic regression (CRP <1, >1<3, ≥3 mg/L), controlling for maturation, dietary energy, physical activity, and medications.ResultsAll measures of total and regional body fat were positively associated with CRP (P<0.0001), except for intermuscular fat by pQCT. There were no clinically relevant differences between anthropometric (BMI; waist circumference) and DXA‐derived (total fat and regional fat: trunk, gynoid, android fat, leg) measures of fat in their associations with CRP. Total lean mass by DXA was significantly, inversely associated with CRP (P<0.0001).Support or Funding InformationFunding was provided by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (HD074565) and the National Cancer Institute (P30CA023074).This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.