Abstract
Lean body mass (LBM) comprises organs and muscle, which are the primary determinants of energy expenditure and regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism. Excessive abdominal fat is associated with metabolic abnormality. Little is known about the relationship between metabolic abnormality and LBM and waist circumference (WC), especially in the Asian general population. The aim of this study was to clarify this relationship. We performed a cross-sectional study with 499,648 subjects who received health check-ups at 16 health promotion centers in 13 Korean cities between January 2018 and October 2019. The subjects were categorized into four groups: (a) High (H)-RLBM (relative lean body mass)/Normal (N)-WC, (b) High-RLBM/Abnormal (A)-WC, (c) Low (L)-RLBM/Normal-WC, and (d) Low-RLBM/Abnormal-WC. RLBM was calculated using fat mass data that were estimated via bioelectrical impedance analysis. L-RLBM/A-WC was significantly associated with metabolically unhealthy status (OR: 4.40, 95% CI: 4.326–4.475) compared to H-RLBM/N-WC. L-RLBM/N-WC (OR: 2.170, 95% CI: 2.122–2.218) and H-RLBM/A-WC (OR: 2.713, 95% CI: 2.659–2.769) were also significantly related to metabolic unhealthy status. The cut-offs of RLBM for predicting metabolic syndrome (MetS) were 74.9 in males and 66.4 in females (p < 0.001). L-RLBM and A-WC are associated with metabolic abnormality in the Korean general population. RLBM is an anthropometric index that can be used to predict MetS in primary health care.
Highlights
Obesity is associated with metabolic abnormalities, such as insulin resistance, prediabetes, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and metabolic syndrome (MetS)
Characteristics of the Study Subjects According to Categories of relative lean body mass (RLBM)
This study found that low RLBM and abnormal waist circumference (WC) were associated with metabolic abnormalities, especially in those with both low RLBM and abdominal obesity, who had the highest risk of metabolic abnormality
Summary
Obesity is associated with metabolic abnormalities, such as insulin resistance, prediabetes, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and metabolic syndrome (MetS). Almost 603.7 million adults in the world are obese, and the prevalence of obesity, which has doubled in 73 countries since. 1980, has increased in almost every country continuously [3]. Obesity is diagnosed in adults most commonly using the body mass index (BMI), as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) [4]. BMI is calculated from the weight-adjusted height, and it is known as a good measure of general adiposity. BMI cannot measure body composition accurately, because it does not distinguish lean body mass (LBM) from fat mass [5,6,7]. The association between obesity and metabolic complications is partly dependent on the pattern of body fat distribution [8]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
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 callMore From: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Disclaimer: 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.
