Body Fat Distribution In Women Research Articles

Association between the digit ratio (2D:4D), handgrip strength, wrist ratio, and body fat distribution in women with different carpal tunnel syndrome severity

BackgroundTo evaluate the relationship of the second to fourth digit ratio (2D:4D), a biomarker of prenatal sex hormone exposure, with wrist ratio (WR), wrist-palm ratio (WPR), body mass index (BMI), waist-hip ratio (WHR), and handgrip strength (HGS) in different carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) severity. MethodThis study involved 90 female participants (aged 18 to 83) with CTS. According to CTS severity, the participants were divided into four groups: normal, mild, moderate, and severe. All parameters of hand anthropometry and body fat distribution were measured, and the mean 2D:4D, WR, WPR, HGS, BMI, and WHR values were compared based on CTS severity. Data were collected with a visual analog scale (VAS) for pain and a Likert (LS) scale for numbness severity. ResultsThe mean age, 2D:4D, WD, WW, WR, WPR, BMI, and HGS values showed a significant differences between CTS severity groups. We found that lower 2D:4D and higher WPR and BMI were associated with increased risk of CTS (AUC = 0.728) after removing the effect of age. Bilateral hands were affected in 38.9 % (70/180) of participants. Regression analysis showed that lower HGS can be used as independent variable for predicting the females having bilateral affected hands. The LS score was considerably higher in the severe and moderate groups. Also, the VAS score was significantly higher in the severe group. ConclusionThe findings of the study demonstrated an association between 2D:4D, WPR, and BMI among women, emphasizing the effect of intrauterine sex hormone exposure on late life CTS severity.

ESR2 expression in subcutaneous adipose tissue is related to body fat distribution in women, and knockdown impairs preadipocyte differentiation

ABSTRACT Oestrogen receptor 2 (ESR2) expression has been shown to be higher in subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) from postmenopausal compared to premenopausal women. The functional significance of altered ESR2 expression is not fully known. This study investigates the role of ESR2 for adipose tissue lipid and glucose metabolism. SAT biopsies were obtained from 44 female subjects with or without T2D. Gene expression of ESR2 and markers of adipose function and metabolism was assessed. ESR2 knockdown was performed using CRISPR/Cas9 in preadipocytes isolated from SAT of females, and differentiation rate, lipid storage, and glucose uptake were measured. ESR2 expression was inversely correlated with measures of central obesity and expression of some fatty acid oxidation markers, and positively correlated with lipid storage and glucose transport markers. Differentiation was reduced in ESR2 knockdown preadipocytes. This corresponded to reduced expression of markers of differentiation and lipogenesis. Glucose uptake was reduced in knockdown adipocytes. Our results indicate that ESR2 deficiency in women is associated with visceral adiposity and impaired subcutaneous adipocyte differentiation as well as glucose and lipid utilization. High ESR2 expression, as seen after menopause, could be a contributing factor to SAT expansion. This may support a possible target to promote a healthy obesity phenotype.

Differences in body fat distribution in women depending on the second to fourth digit ratio value

Differences in body fat distribution in women depending on the second to fourth digit ratio value

Dietary fat composition, total body fat and regional body fat distribution in two Caucasian populations of middle-aged and older adult women

We aimed to study whether dietary fat composition (n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids ratio (PUFAs) and PUFAs and saturated fatty acids (SFAs) ratio) is associated with total body fat (TF) and body fat distribution and whether this association was modified by the presence of chronic disease in middle-aged and elderly women in two population-based cohorts in the Netherlands and Australia. The study was performed in the Rotterdam Study (RS), a prospective cohort study among subjects aged 55 years and older (N=1182 women) and the Calcium Intake Fracture Outcome Study (CAIFOS), a 5-year randomized controlled trial among women age 70+ (N=891). At baseline, diet (i.e. PUFAs and SFAs) was measured by validated food frequency questionnaires. TF was assessed using Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in both studies and android abdominal fat (AF), gynoid fat (GF) and the android/gynoid ratio (A/G ratio) in the RS but not the CAIFOS. Chronic disease was defined as the presence of cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus and cancer. No association was found between dietary n-3/n-6 PUFAs ratio or SFA/PUFAs ratio with TF in both cohorts. In the RS, a high n-3/n-6 PUFAs ratio was associated with a higher AF (3rd vs. 2nd tertile (reference): β: 0.15; 95% CI: 0.05, 0.24) but not with the A/G ratio. A low SFA/PUFA ratio was associated with a lower AF (1st vs. 2nd tertile (reference): β: -0.12; 95% CI: -0.22, -0.06) but not with the A/G ratio. Presence of chronic disease was found to be a significant effect modifier in both cohorts with regard to n-3/n-6 PUFAs and TF (P<0.05). In participants without chronic disease, a higher n-3/n-6 PUFAs ratio was associated with a higher TF in the RS cohort (3rd vs. 2nd tertile (reference): β: 0.94; 95% CI: 0.12, 1.76), but this was not replicated in CAIFOS. These findings do not support the hypothesis that dietary fat composition is consistently associated with TF and body fat distribution in women. Future studies should clarify to what extent these findings may be influenced by the presence of chronic disease.

Body mass index, lipid metabolism and estrogens: their impact on coronary heart disease.

Estrogens influence lipid metabolism and body fat distribution in women. Premenopausal women have increased lipoprotein lipase action in abdominal and femoral subcutaneous fat compared with men of the same age. Estrogens may also affect adipose tissue either directly through specific estrogen receptors or indirectly via their effects on other tissues. As adipose tissue produces several cytokines including leptin, adiponectin and interleukin-6, estrogens may alter their levels, thus influencing various biological processes. Lack of estrogens such as in menopause, causes an increase in visceral adiposity, leading to changes in lipid and lipoprotein metabolism. Due to those alterations, postmenopausal women are more prone to coronary heart disease. In this review the influence of estrogens on body mass index, lipid metabolism and some of the therapeutic options will be analyzed.

Body Fat Distribution in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

AbstractBackground and Aims. Most women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) are thought to have an abdominal body fat distribution, regardless of body mass index (BMI). The objective of our research was to compare body fat distribution between PCOS cases and BMI/age matched healthy control women. Materials and Methods. We compared 102 women with PCOS and 120 healthy female patients matched for age and BMI (retrospective review of the medical records). Visceral fat area (VFA) was measured by bioelectric impedance. Results. No significant differences were noted between the PCOS group and controls regarding total cholesterol, LDLcholesterol and triglycerides levels. Mean HDL-cholesterol concentration was significantly lower in the PCOS group (p=0.03). Mean fasting serum insulin and calculated HOMA-IR were higher in the PCOS group (14.2±7.2 vs. 9.1±4.1μU/mL, p&lt;0.001, and 3.1±1.8 vs. 2.3±1.1, p=0.01 respectively). VFA was similar in patients with PCOS and in the control group. Conclusions. Obese women with PCOS have no preponderant accumulation of visceral fat, compared with weight/age-matched controls. Our data suggest that the distribution of fat to visceral depots is unlikely to be the entire explanation for the metabolic abnormalities observed in women with PCOS.

The Role of Adipose Tissue in Insulin Resistance in Women of African Ancestry

Women of African ancestry, particularly those living in industrialized countries, experience a disproportionately higher prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) compared to their white counterparts. Similarly, obesity and insulin resistance, which are major risk factors for T2D, are greater in black compared to white women. The exact mechanisms underlying these phenomena are not known. This paper will focus on the role of adipose tissue biology. Firstly, the characteristic body fat distribution of women of African ancestry will be discussed, followed by the depot-specific associations with insulin resistance. Factors involved in adipose tissue biology and their relation to insulin sensitivity will then be explored, including the role of sex hormones, glucocorticoid metabolism, lipolysis and adipogenesis, and their consequent effects on adipose tissue hypoxia, oxidative stress, and inflammation. Finally the role of ectopic fat deposition will be discussed. The paper proposes directions for future research, in particular highlighting the need for longitudinal and/or intervention studies to better understand the mechanisms underlying the high prevalence of insulin resistance and T2D in women of African ancestry.

Comparative analysis of the central body fat distribution of women in the urban population in Latvia

The aims of this study were to determine and compare the differences between the regional adiposity and some indexes of central body fat distribution of women according to age group categories in the urban population in Latvia. For this purpose 373 women were anthropometrically examined during the period 2001–2005. The body height, body weight, three circumferences (chest, waist, hip) and four skinfolds (biceps, triceps, subscapular, suprailiac) were measured. The four indexes were calculated and studied: the subscapular/triceps (STSR) skinfold ratio and the centripetal fat (CPFR) ratio, the waist-hip ratio (WHR) and the body mass index (BMI). In general, the age values showed an increasing of the central body fat distribution for women in the urban population. The associations of age with all the central body fat distribution indexes were significant. This study provided evidence that there is a significant positive trend of increased central body fat distribution with the increasing age of the women in the urban population in Latvia. Future studies should also investigate whether the same phenomenon exists for women in rural population in Latvia.

Body fat distribution in women with familial partial lipodystrophy caused by mutation in the lamin A/C gene

Familial partial lipodystrophy (FPLD), Dunnigan variety, is an autosomal dominant disorder caused due to missense mutations in the lamin A/C (LMNA) gene encoding nuclear lamina proteins. Patients with FPLD are predisposed to metabolic complications of insulin resistance such as diabetes. We sought to evaluate and compare body fat distribution with dual-emission X-ray absorptiometry in women with and without FPLD and identify densitometric, clinical and metabolic features.

Upper airway size is related to obesity and body fat distribution in women

The aim of this study is to analyze the relationships between obesity, fat distribution and pharyngeal transversal area in women. Cross-sectional areas of the pharynx at the oro-pharyngeal junction and at the glottis and mean pharyngeal area were measured by acoustic pharyngometry in 145 women (age 42.9 +/- 15.1 years; range 14-82 years). Body weight, waist, hip and neck circumferences, and sagittal abdominal diameter (SAD) were determined. Pharyngeal area at the oro-pharyngeal junction, measured both in orthostatic and in lying position, was negatively related to BMI, waist, hip and SAD. Mean pharyngeal area was negatively related to BMI and to SAD only in orthostatic position. No significant correlations were found between pharyngeal areas at the glottis and any anthropometric measurements. In multiple regression analysis, only SAD retained independent relationship with pharyngeal area at the level of the oro-pharyngeal junction in both the positions and with mean pharyngeal area in the orthostatic position. We demonstrated an inverse association between upper airways size and both adiposity and visceral fat distribution in women.

The association of serum androgens and insulin resistance with fat distribution in polycystic ovary syndrome

Objective The aim of the study was to compare the body fat distribution of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) with age and body mass index matched healthy controls and to investigate if androgens and insulin resistance associated with fat distribution. Study design Thirty-three PCOS and 21 age and body mass index (BMI) matched healthy control women were evaluated in terms of body fat distribution with dual X-ray absorpsiometry (DEXA). Blood samples were obtained for follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol, prolactin, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEA-S), free testosterone, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), insulin and glucose levels. A 75 g 2 h glucose tolerance test was performed for each woman. Insulin resistance was estimated by fasting insulin level, fasting glucose/insulin ratio and 75 g 2 h glucose tolerance test. The Student's t-test and Mann–Whitney U-test were used to compare the groups. Pearson and Spearman rank correlation coefficients were calculated for normally and nonnormally distributed variables, respectively. Partial correlation coefficients were calculated using age and BMI as covariates. Results Fat mass in trunk and arms were significantly higher in patients with PCOS ( p < 0.043 and 0.036, respectively). The ratio of fat mass in trunk to fat mass in legs were significantly higher in patients with PCOS ( p < 0.011). Free testosterone was found to be positively correlated with fat mass in arms ( r = 0.401, p < 0.05). There was still significant correlation between free testosterone and fat mass in arms ( r = 0.5964, p < 0.05) after controlling for age and BMI. Conclusion Free testosterone level is positively correlated with the fat mass in arms in women with PCOS.

Body fat patterning in polycystic ovary syndrome women as a predictor of the response to clomiphene

Background. To investigate the difference in the response to clomiphene citrate (CC) based on body fat distribution in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Methods. Ninety anovulatory PCOS women were divided into two subgroups based on treatment response: women who ovulated with CC (CC responders, n = 49) and those who did not ovulate with CC (CC nonresponders, n = 41). Baseline characteristics included age, age at menarche, height, weight and body mass index [BMI; weight/(height)2]. Percentage of body fat, body fat mass and the ratio of trunk fat to leg fat mass amount (trunk–leg fat ratio) were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Results. Age, age at menarche and height did not differ between the two groups. However, trunk–leg fat ratio in CC responders (0.9 ± 0.4) was significantly lower than that in CC nonresponders (1.3 ± 0.4) (p < 0.001). Percentage of body fat, body fat mass and BMI were also lower in CC responders (p < 0.01). On multiple regression analysis, however, trunk–leg fat ratio proved to be a superior predictor of CC responder to percentage of body fat, BMI or body fat mass (standardized regression coefficient ≥ 0.510; t-values ≥ 3.432; p < 0.001). Conclusions. Response to CC in anovulatory PCOS women differs with body fat distribution.

Relationships between tamoxifen use, liver fat and body fat distribution in women with breast cancer

Tamoxifen is a nonsteroidal anti-estrogenic drug used for adjuvant treatment of breast cancer and recently as a chemopreventative agent for breast cancer and, on an investigational basis, for other cancers. To date there are case reports of hypertriglyceridemia and fatty liver disease in tamoxifen users. Fatty liver is associated with visceral obesity and other components of the metabolic syndrome. Here we evaluated steatosis and adipose tissue distribution by CT scan in a cross-sectional study of 32 women on tamoxifen and 39 control women. Tamoxifen users had more visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and more liver fat than controls. This is the first study to demonstrate that fatty liver and intra-abdominal fat accumulation are common in breast cancer patients receiving tamoxifen. Prospective studies of tamoxifen should monitor metabolic changes in obese women with or without breast cancer.

Correlation of Body Fat Distribution with Grade of Endometrial Cancer

To elucidate whether body fat distribution correlates with the grade of endometrial cancer, we studied 74 postmenopausal women with endometrial cancer (mean age 62.4 ± 6.6 years, range 49–78 years). The subjects were divided into three groups as follows: well-differentiated adenocarcinoma (G1 group;N= 53), moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma (G2 group;N= 11), and poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma (G3 group;N= 10). Four body fat indices [total fat weight (g), body fat ratio (%), trunk fat weight (g), and weight ratio of trunk fat to leg fat (trunk/leg ratio)] were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Baseline characteristics and body fat indices in the three groups were compared. In all subjects, the correlations of these variables with the grade of adenocarcinoma were investigated using single and stepwise regression analyses. Total fat weight, body fat ratio, and trunk fat weight showed slight increases with the grade of differentiation. The trunk/leg ratio in G1 group was significantly higher than in G2 and G3 groups. The trunk/leg ratio was significantly correlated with the grade in stepwise regression analysis. Body fat distribution in women with endometrial cancer may correlate with the grade of the adenocarcinoma.

Body fat distribution in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

To investigate body fat distribution in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Body weight, body mass index (BMI), and six indices of body fat measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry were compared in 40 women with PCOS and 97 age-matched controls. The possible correlations between the body fat characteristics and serum androgen levels were evaluated in the 40 PCOS women. Body fat distribution was classified into upper- (N = 24) and lower-half body type (N = 16), and androgen levels and the incidence of hirsutism were compared in the two types. The BMI, body fat ratio, upper-half body fat ratio, and upper-half/lower-half body fat ratio were significantly higher in PCOS women than in controls. After adjustment for age, height, and body weight, the upper-half/lower-half body fat ratio was still significant (P < .001). The PCOS subjects exhibited a significant positive correlation between the upper-half/lower-half body fat ratio and dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEA-S) levels (r = 0.607, P < .01) as well as testosterone levels (r = 0.585, P < .05). Dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate and testosterone levels were significantly higher in those with the upper-half body type than in those with the lower-half body type (P < .001). After adjustment for confounding variables, only DHEA-S was still significantly higher in this body type (P < .05). Serum DHEA-S levels seem to be associated with upper-half body fat distribution in women with PCOS, irrespective of body weight.

Body fat distribution in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

To investigate body fat distribution in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Body weight, body mass index (BMI), and six indices of body fat measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry were compared in 40 women with PCOS and 97 age-matched controls. The possible correlations between the body fat characteristics and serum androgen levels were evaluated in the 40 PCOS women. Body fat distribution was classified into upper- (N = 24) and lower-half body type (N = 16), and androgen levels and the incidence of hirsutism were compared in the two types. The BMI, body fat ratio, upper-half body fat ratio, and upper-half/lower-half body fat ratio were significantly higher in PCOS women than in controls. After adjustment for age, height, and body weight, the upper-half/lower-half body fat ratio was still significant (P < .001). The PCOS subjects exhibited a significant positive correlation between the upper-half/lower-half body fat ratio and dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEA-S) levels (r = 0.607, P < .01) as well as testosterone levels (r = 0.585, P < .05). Dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate and testosterone levels were significantly higher in those with the upper-half body type than in those with the lower-half body type (P < .001). After adjustment for confounding variables, only DHEA-S was still significantly higher in this body type (P < .05). Serum DHEA-S levels seem to be associated with upper-half body fat distribution in women with PCOS, irrespective of body weight.

Fat and Female Fecundity

OBJECTIVES--To study the effect of body fat distribution in women of reproductive age on fecundity. DESIGN--Prospective cohort study of all women who had entered a donor insemination programme. SETTING--One fertility clinic serving a large part of the midwest of the Netherlands. SUBJECTS--Of 542 women attending the clinic for artificial insemination for the first time, 500 women were eligible for study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Probability of conception per cycle and number of insemination cycles before pregnancy or stopping treatment. RESULTS--A 0.1 unit increase in waist-hip ratio led to a 30% decrease in probability of conception per cycle (hazard ratio 0.706; 95% confidence interval 0.562 to 0.887) after adjustment for age, fatness, reasons for artificial insemination, cycle length and regularity, smoking, and parity. Increasing age was significantly related to lower fecundity (p < 0.05); very lean and obese women were less likely to conceive (p < 0.10) as were women with subfertile partners (p < 0.10). All other exposure variables were not significantly related to fecundity. CONCLUSIONS--Increasing waist-hip ratio is negatively associated with the probability of conception per cycle, before and after adjustment for confounding factors. Body fat distribution in women of reproductive age seems to have more impact on fertility than age or obesity.

Variation in body fat distribution and breast cancer risk in the families of patients with breast cancer and control families

The pattern of body fat distribution in women has been correlated with the risk of developing breast and endometrial cancer. The authors determined whether body fat distribution varied between first-degree relatives of patients with breast cancer and in cancer-free families by comparing the body fat distribution of first-degree relatives of patients with breast cancer with age and Quetelet Index-matched controls. Fifty-six first-degree relatives of newly diagnosed patients with breast cancer were compared with 56 controls (non-cancer family members) matched for age and Quetelet Index and were studied for variation in body fat distribution. Anthropometric measurements were taken for the abdomen, thigh, suprailiac, subscapular, biceps, and triceps skinfold thickness; waist and hip circumference; weight; and height. The distribution of body measurements and derived ratios in both case and control family members were compared using the Student t test. A significant variation in body fat distribution occurred among first-degree relatives in breast cancer and control families. In families with a history of breast cancer, first-degree family members were found to have significantly greater waist:hip ratio (P < 0.001) compared with controls without family history matched for age and Quetelet Index. Other variables indicating upper body fat localization, such as abdomen and suprailiac skinfold were significantly greater in family members of patients with breast cancer compared with controls. A marked variation occurred in body fat localization among first-degree relatives of patients with breast cancer and in cancer-free families. This finding implies a variation in breast cancer risk in these families. Identifying family members with upper body fat distribution in breast cancer families would allow targeting of these individuals for energetic screening and risk factor reduction interventions.

Fat and female fecundity: prospective study of effect of body fat distribution on conception rates.

To study the effect of body fat distribution in women of reproductive age on fecundity. Prospective cohort study of all women who had entered a donor insemination programme. One fertility clinic serving a large part of the midwest of the Netherlands. Of 542 women attending the clinic for artificial insemination for the first time, 500 women were eligible for study. Probability of conception per cycle and number of insemination cycles before pregnancy or stopping treatment. A 0.1 unit increase in waist-hip ratio led to a 30% decrease in probability of conception per cycle (hazard ratio 0.706; 95% confidence interval 0.562 to 0.887) after adjustment for age, fatness, reasons for artificial insemination, cycle length and regularity, smoking, and parity. Increasing age was significantly related to lower fecundity (p < 0.05); very lean and obese women were less likely to conceive (p < 0.10) as were women with subfertile partners (p < 0.10). All other exposure variables were not significantly related to fecundity. Increasing waist-hip ratio is negatively associated with the probability of conception per cycle, before and after adjustment for confounding factors. Body fat distribution in women of reproductive age seems to have more impact on fertility than age or obesity.

Insulin and androgen relationships with abdominal body fat distribution in women with and without hyperandrogenism.

This retrospective study was carried out to investigate, in a large group of hyperandrogenized women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and nonhyperandrogenized control women, the interrelationships between sex steroids and indices of body fat distribution. Moreover, we investigated the relationships between these parameters and insulin blood levels, since obese women with abdominal pattern of fat distribution (A-BFD), as well as those with PCOS (either obese and nonobese) are characterized by moderate to severe hyperinsulinemia. A sample of 100 women with PCOS and that of 138 women without clinical signs of hyperandrogenism, who served as a control group, were investigated. The waist to hip circumference ratio (WHR) which was used to define different patterns of fat topography was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in PCOS (0.84 +/- 0.10) than in control women (0.81 +/- 0.08). In both groups, women with WHR values lower than or equal to 0.85 were considered as having a peripheral pattern of body fat distribution (P-BFD) whereas those having WHR values higher than 0.85 had A-BFD. Compared to controls, women with PCOS had higher LH, androgen and estrogen concentrations. In both PCOS and controls there were no differences in sex hormone levels between women with different patterns of fat distribution, except androstenedione, which levels were significantly higher in women with A-BFD than with P-BFD. Women with PCOS showed significantly higher insulin levels than controls. Moreover, in both groups fasting and stimulated insulin were significantly higher in women with A-BFD than in those with P-BFD.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)