Increase of visceral fat area in Indonesians and Japanese with normal BMI

Abstract

We compared the visceral fat accumulation between Indonesians and Japanese. Non-obese (25 > BMI ≥ 18.5) men aged between their 20s and 50s were collected in Toban including moderately populated middle-sized cities of Hyogo Prefecture in Japan, and Sangsit town and Pedawa village in Indonesia. Their visceral fat accumulation was assessed by determination of visceral fat area (VFA) that was measured through bio-electrical impedance analysis. VFA as well as VFA per body weight in those aged in their 20s did not vary significantly among Toban, Sangsit and Pedawa. In these three districts, they increased with age. Compared with VFA as well as VFA per body weight among those aged in their 20s, they increased in their 30s and over in the urban area of both Japan and Indonesia, whereas it did in their 40s and over in Pedawa, economically poor district. The inhabitants in their 40s and over in Sangsit and those in their 30s and over in Pedawa had less VFA than those with the corresponding age in Toban, while those in the 30s and 40s in Pedawa and those in their 40s in Sangsit had less VFA per body weight than those with corresponding age in Toban. In conclusion, the visceral fat appears to accumulate progressively with aging and urbanization of lifestyle even in those with normal body mass index. It is recommended that some preventive measures against visceral fat accumulation should be taken in their 20s or under for urban dwellers and in their 30s or under for rural inhabitants.