Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue Distribution Research Articles

Subcutaneous adipose tissue distribution and metabolic parameters in lean women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Searchable abstracts of presentations at key conferences in endocrinology ISSN 1470-3947 (print) | ISSN 1479-6848 (online)

Normal Weight Estonian Prepubertal Boys Show a More Cardiovascular-Risk-Associated Adipose Tissue Distribution than Austrian Counterparts

Objective. Risk phenotypes for cardiovascular disease (CVD) differ markedly between countries, like the reported high difference in CVD mortality in Austria and Estonia. Hitherto, the goal of this study was to find out risk profiles in body fat distribution yet present in childhood, paving the way for later clinical end points. Methods. he subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) distribution patterns in 553 Austrian (A) and Estonian (E) clinically healthy normal weight boys aged 11.1 (±0.8) years were analysed. We applied the patented optical device Lipometer which determines the individual subcutaneous adipose tissue topography (SAT-Top). Results. Total body fat did not differ significantly between E and A boys. A discriminant analysis using all Lipometer data, BMI, and the total body fat (TBF) yielded 84.6% of the boys correctly classified in Estonians and Austrians by 9 body sites. A factor analysis identified the SAT distribution of E as critically similar to male adult patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). Conclusions. We show in normal weight Estonian boys a highly significant decreased fat accumulation on the lower body site compared to age matched Austrian males. This SAT-Top phenotype may play an important role for the increased cardiovascular risk seen in the Estonian population.

Obesity in Moscow School Age Students: Prevalence, Age- and Gender- Related Features

Background: obesity in children and adolescents became one of the most globally challenging medical prob- lems over the past decades. Method: School-age children and adolescents from the Moscow's schools were examined. Height and weight data were obtained from screening examination records found in school medical charts. BMI (body mass index) was calculated. Derived data was analyzed according to the World Health Organization growth charts, for gender and age. Results: We demonstrated that in Moscow students aged 5 to 16 years old, obesity occurs mostly in the prepuberty period: boys 10-13, and girls 9-10. At the same time obesity prevalence is significantly higher in male adolescents than in female. In older groups decline in obesity prevalence provides for decrease in overweight prevalence. Obesity in specific groups with its maximum prevalence shows unfavorable features due to the predominance of central obesity indices both in boys and in girls. The most significant growth registered in thickness of abdominal and subscupular skinfolds (ASF and SSF, respectively) which was found in boys (4.3 and 4 times greater). In males abdominal obesity prevails, whereas in fe- males, distribution of subcutaneous adipose tissue is more even. Conclusion: The value of ASF and SSF as a tool for car- diovascular pathology risk factors assessment in urban students ages 9-13 was confirmed by correlative analysis. These parameters have the strongest correlation with all the others evalu-ated in this investigation. Waist-to-hip ratio didn't show any significance in assessment of obesity in persons of prepuberty age.

Modifications of adiposity in school-age children according to the nutritional status: a 20-year analysis

To analyze adiposity changes in school-age children over a 20 year-period, according to nutritional status. The study is part of the Ilhabela Longitudinal Mixed Project on Growth, Development and Physical Fitness. A sample of 1,095 school students of both sexes, from 7 to 10 years, met the following inclusion criteria: (a) at least one complete assessment in one of the analyzed periods; (b) to be in prepubertal stage of sexual maturation; (c) to be apparently healthy. The periods analyzed were 1990/1991 (initial), 2000/2001 (10 years) and 2010/2011 (20 years). The variables analyzed were: body weight, height and adiposity through individual analysis of each skinfold. Children were classified as eutrophic, overweight and obese, according to the curves of body mass index for age and sex proposed by the World Health Organization. The statistical analysis used was one-way ANOVA, followed by Scheffé's post-hoc test, with p < 0.01. In boys, the largest increase occurred in the overweight group, followed by the obese and eutrophic groups. In girls, the largest increases occurred in the groups with overweight and eutrophic children, followed by the obese group. During the 20-year period analyzed, there were changes in adiposity, even when the nutritional status was controlled, showing that individuals who have similar body mass indexes may vary in proportion and distribution of subcutaneous adipose tissue. In both sexes, the increase was higher in the overweight group, and mainly in central skinfolds.

Alcohol Consumption and Its Relation to Visceral and Subcutaneous Adipose Tissues in Healthy Male Koreans

Aims: The purpose of the present study is to investigate the association of alcohol with visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) distribution and metabolic syndrome (MetS). Design: We conducted a cross-sectional study in 951 healthy male Korean participants who underwent health checkups. We measured the cross-sectional areas of VAT and SAT by computed tomography of the abdomen and performed a study of alcohol consumption based on questionnaire responses and a 24-hour dietary recall assessment. We analyzed the relationship of alcohol consumption with VAT, SAT, and MetS. Results: Alcohol consumption showed a negative association with SAT (β = -18.76, p = 0.047) but a positive association with VAT (β = 17.70, p = 0.037), independent of other factors. The adjusted odds ratios for MetS for those who consumed <7, 7 to <14, 14 to <28, and ≧28 standard drinks per week were 0.99 (0.59-1.68), 1.49 (0.84-2.63), 1.95 (1.10-3.45), and 1.99 (1.07-3.70), respectively (p for linear trend = 0.042). Conclusions: Alcohol consumption is associated with decreased SAT and increased VAT accumulation. Further, alcohol consumption of ≧14 standard drinks is associated with an increased risk of MetS. Light-to-moderate drinking, which has been regarded to lower the risk of cardiovascular diseases, did not show a protective effect on adipose tissue accumulation.

Genes linked to energy metabolism and immunoregulatory mechanisms are associated with subcutaneous adipose tissue distribution in HIV-infected men

Genetic studies may help explain abnormalities of fat distribution in HIV-infected patients treated with antiretroviral therapy (ARV). Subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) volume measured by MRI in the leg, the lower trunk, the upper trunk, and the arm was examined in 192 HIV-infected White men, ARV-treated from the Fat Redistribution and Metabolic Change in HIV infection study. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms were assayed using the Illumina Human CNV370-quad beadchip. Multivariate and univariate genome-wide association analyses of the four SAT depots were implemented in PLINK software adjusted for age and ARV duration. Functional annotation analysis using Ingenuity Systems Pathway Analysis tool was carried out for markers with P lower than 10(-3) near known genes identified by multivariate analysis. Loci (rs10504906, rs13267998, rs921231) in or near the anion exchanger solute carrier family 26, member 7 isoform a (SLC26A7) were strongly associated with the upper trunk and the arm SAT (9.8×10(-7) ≤P<7.8×10(-6)). Loci (rs193139, rs7523050, rs1761621) in and near a gene-rich region including G-protein-signaling modulator 2 (GPSM2) and syntaxin-binding protein 3 (STXBP3) were significantly associated with the lower body SAT depots (9.9×10(-7) ≤P<9.5×10(-6)). GPSM2 is associated with cell division and cancer whereas STXBP3 is associated with glucose metabolism in adipoctyes. Ingenuity Systems Pathway Analysis identified atherosclerosis, mitochondrial function, and T-cell-mediated apoptosis as processes related to SAT volume in HIV-infected individuals (P<5×10(-3)). Our results are limited by the small sample size and replication is needed; however, this genomic scan uncovered new genes associated with metabolism and inflammatory pathways that may affect SAT volume in ARV-treated HIV-infected patients.

A Preliminary Report on the Effects of the Level of Spinal Cord Injury on the Association Between Central Adiposity and Metabolic Profile

To determine the effects of the level of injury on visceral adipose tissue (VAT), subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), and the VAT:SAT ratio in individuals with tetraplegia (T-spinal cord injury [SCI]) and paraplegia (P-SCI) and the relationships among central adiposity and glucose and lipid profile. Cross-sectional and correlation. Clinical hospital and academic settings. Thirteen individuals with motor complete SCI were divided into T-SCI (n = 6, C5-C7, American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale [AIS] A and B) and P-SCI (n = 7, T4-T11, AIS A and B) groups. Both groups underwent overnight fasting to measure serum lipid profile, plasma glucose, and insulin responses to an oral glucose tolerance test, which was followed by magnetic resonance imaging to quantify VAT and SAT cross-sectional areas (CSA) and volume across multi-axial slices. The CSA and volumes of VAT and SAT were not different between T-SCI and P-SCI. VAT CSA was related to the fasting glucose in both groups, with nonsignificant association with glucose area under the curve. The CSA and volume of SAT were strongly associated with lipid profile outcomes in the T-SCI (r = 0.86-0.99, P < .02) but not in the P-SCI. The preliminary work suggests that the level of injury does not appear to influence the distribution of VAT and SAT. VAT and SAT distribution could not explain the difference noted in glucose and insulin profiles between the T-SCI and P-SCI groups. Finally, SAT is a strong predictor of lipid profile in individuals with T-SCI.

Distribution of Abdominal Visceral and Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue and Metabolic Syndrome in a Korean Population

OBJECTIVEThis study aimed to assess the correlation between abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) in Korean adults after adjusting for the effects of visceral adipose tissue (VAT).RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSThe SAT/VAT ratio (SVR) was calculated using abdominal computed tomography in 2,655 subjects. We used regression analyses to assess whether the SVR predicted MetS.RESULTSFor both sexes, the prevalence of elevated triglycerides, reduced HDL, and elevated fasting glucose significantly decreased with increasing quintiles of SVR (P for trend < 0.05). The prevalence and odds ratios of MetS significantly decreased as the SVR increased (men: odds ratio 0.5 [95% CI 0.3–0.7]; women: 0.2 [0.1–0.5] for comparisons of lowest vs. highest quintile; P for trend < 0.05).CONCLUSIONSAfter adjustment for VAT, abdominal SAT was inversely correlated with the occurrence of MetS.

Accuracy of a digital skinfold system for measuring skinfold thickness and estimating body fat

The use of skinfold thickness measurements to evaluate the distribution of subcutaneous adipose tissue and to predict body fat has recognised advantages. However, the different types of skinfold calliper available present limitations that make them unattractive and perhaps less used in daily practice. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the accuracy and functionality of a new digital skinfold system, the Liposoft 2008+Adipsmeter V0 (LA), for measuring skinfold thickness and determining body fat proportion (%BF). Skinfold thickness measurements made by the LA were compared with those obtained with a Harpenden (H) calliper from two samples of adults (n 45) and older adults (n 56) in a university-based cross-sectional study. A comparison was also conducted between estimated %BF from skinfolds and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Bland and Altman plots show that skinfolds measured by the LA and H calliper are in high agreement, with a mean difference of 0·3 (95% CI -3·1, 3·4) mm. In regard to the %BF estimated from LA and H skinfolds measurement, the LA produced a similar approximation to dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry %BF, with a mean difference of 0·2 (95% CI -0·8, 1·2) %, compared with %BF obtained with the H calliper. The LA system is an accurate instrumentation and represents an innovation in the evaluation of skinfold thickness and body composition based on anthropometric measurement.

Distribution of abdominal adipose tissue as a predictor of hepatic steatosis assessed by MRI

To evaluate the relationship between the distribution of visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue and hepatic steatosis assessed using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). One T1-weighted, in-/out-of-phase, single-section sequence at the L3/L4 level and one multi-echo gradient MRI (MGRE) sequence were performed on 65 patients [19 females and 46 males; age 57+/-9.5 years; body mass index (BMI) 31+/-5.1kg/m(2)]. Visceral adipose tissue (VAT), subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) surfaces, and hepatic steatosis were automatically calculated using in-house software. Weight, height, BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference, and waist:hip ratio were recorded. The probability of having a steatosis greater than 10% on MRI was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. The anthropometric parameter best correlated to hepatic steatosis was the waist-to-hip ratio (r=0.301). VAT and proportion of VAT were correlated to liver fat content (r=0.307 and r=0.249, respectively). No significant correlations were found for BMI, hip circumference, and SAT. The area under the receiver operating characteristics (AUROCs) for the relationship between liver steatosis and BMI, waist circumference, waist:hip ratio, VAT surface, and proportion of VAT, were respectively 0.52, 0.63, 0.71, 0.73 and 0.75. Adipose tissue distribution is more relevant than total fat mass when assessing the possibility of liver steatosis in overweight patients.

Visceral Adiposity Is Not Associated With Inflammatory Markers in Trauma Patients

Excess visceral adiposity induces chronic subclinical inflammation resulting in the metabolic syndrome. Whether excess visceral adiposity impacts posttraumatic inflammatory profiles more is unknown. We hypothesized that obese patients (body mass index >30 kg/m) with higher visceral to subcutaneous adipose tissue distribution would have increased inflammatory outcomes. A secondary analysis of a prospective cohort of adult trauma patients requiring >48 hours of intensive care unit care over a 55-month period was analyzed. Body fat distribution was determined by radiologist review of computed tomography scans at L1. Concentric freeform regions were defined manually, and area was calculated. Visceral adiposity was defined as subcutaneous fat area: visceral area >1.35 (the median), whereas subcutaneous adiposity was defined as a ratio <1.35. Primary outcomes were proinflammatory biomarkers known to be associated with chronic visceral obesity (white blood cell count, interleukin 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and tumor necrosis factor alpha). Secondary outcomes were all-cause in-hospital mortality, adult respiratory distress syndrome, and nosocomial infections. Two hundred eighty-one (19%) obese patients with available computed tomography scans from 1,510 trauma patients were included. Visceral adiposity included 140 patients, subcutaneous adiposity included 141 patients. The two groups were similar in regards to age, Trauma Injury Severity Score, and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score. There was no difference (p > 0.05) in proinflammatory biomarkers. Patients with visceral adiposity had similar clinical outcomes including mortality (p = 0.56), adult respiratory distress syndrome (p = 0.69), and infection (0.43). Visceral body fat distribution in obese patients is not associated with increased inflammatory profiles or clinical outcomes after trauma. The impact of injury severity on acute inflammation likely overwhelms the metabolic disturbances and subclinical inflammation associated with visceral obesity in the chronic setting.

Waist to Height Ratio as a Predictor of Abdominal Fat Distribution in Men

The accumulation of fat in visceral (VA) and subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue (SA) is highly correlated with the metabolic abnormalities that contribute to increased risk of diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. The purpose of the study was to determine which of the four indices-waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), waist to height ratio (WHtR) and body mass index (BMI)-was the best predictor of VA and SA in men. We studied 111 men with a wide range of BMI, WC, WHtR, WHR and BMI determined by standard methods. SA and VA were quantified using computed tomography. In univariate and multiple regression analyses, WHtR had the highest correlation with VA and SA. To assess the relative strength of these associations, we used non-nested regression models. WHtR was a stronger predictor of SA than BMI (P = 0.02), but the relative strength of WC and BMI in predicting SA did not differ significantly (P > 0.05). WHtR was a stronger predictor of VA than WC (P = 0.012), BMI (P < 0.001) or WHR (P < 0.001). In men, WHtR is a good anthropometric index which has a stronger correlation with the distribution of visceral and subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue than BMI or WHR. Its association is closer to or stronger than WC.

Finding a way through the forest: A Biopsychosocial model of hot flashes.

Finding a way through the forest: A Biopsychosocial model of hot flashes.

Relationship of Abdominal Visceral and Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue With Lipoprotein Particle Number and Size in Type 2 Diabetes

OBJECTIVE—Insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes are associated with an atherogenic lipoprotein profile. We examined the role of visceral and subcutaneous fat depots, independent of BMI, on the dyslipidemia associated with type 2 diabetes.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS— A total of 382 subjects with type 2 diabetes underwent abdominal computed tomography to evaluate subcutaneous (SAT) and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) distribution and had anthropometric measurements to determine BMI and waist and hip circumference. Fasting blood was obtained for lipoprotein particle number and size using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The relationship of lipoprotein particle number and size with BMI, SAT, and VAT was examined using multivariable regression models adjusted for age, sex, diabetes therapy, duration of diabetes, smoking, statin use, and A1C levels. The relation of VAT to lipoprotein particle number and size was further evaluated after the addition of BMI, BMI plus SAT, or BMI plus homeostatis is model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) to the model.RESULTS—VAT was positively related to VLDL particle number (P < 0.0001), LDL particle number (P < 0.01), and VLDL size (P < 0.0001) and negatively related to LDL size (P < 0.0001) and HDL size (P < 0.0001). These relationships remained unchanged after addition of BMI and SAT to the model. After addition of HOMA-IR, VAT remained positively related to VLDL particle number (P < 0.0001) and size (P < 0.01) and negatively related to LDL and HDL particle size (P < 0.0001 for both comparisons). Neither BMI nor SAT was independently related to lipoprotein parameters.CONCLUSIONS—In patients with type 2 diabetes, higher VAT independent of BMI was associated with higher VLDL and LDL particle number, larger VLDL particles, and smaller LDL and HDL particles. This lipoprotein pattern has been associated with increased risk for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease.

Elevated CRP levels are associated with increased carotid atherosclerosis independent of visceral obesity

Background Visceral obesity (VO) is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) levels are associated with VO and cardiovascular disease. After exploring the relation between CRP and VO, we aimed to evaluate the VO independent relation between CRP and carotid atherosclerosis. Methods and results The prevalence of inflammation was evaluated in 439 male subjects with VO without type 2 diabetes and manifest cardiovascular disease. Waist circumference significantly correlated with CRP ( r: 0.20, p < 0.001). However, 18.2% of patients in the waist circumference group 94–102 had elevated CRP levels while 9.6% of patients in the waist circumference group >118 cm had low CRP levels. From the 439 subjects, 40 subjects were prospectively selected for MRI assessment of carotid atherosclerosis and visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue distribution in a case–control setting matching for age and waist circumference. Twenty male subjects with age >50 years with CRP levels >2.5 mg/L (CRP+) were compared to 20 controls with CRP levels <1.8 mg/L (CRP−). Maximum vessel wall thickness in CRP+ was significantly higher both in the common carotid artery (15%, p < 0.01) and the bulb region (18%, p < 0.01). The distribution of fat in visceral and subcutaneous deposits was not significantly different between CRP+ and CRP−. Conclusion Elevated CRP levels are associated with significantly increased maximum vessel wall thickness independent of VO and of MRI measured adipose tissue distribution, both in the common carotid artery and the carotid bulb.

Ontogenesis changes and sex dimorphism of subcutaneous fat distribution: 12‐Year longitudinal study of children and adolescents from Cracow, Poland

The aim of the work was to analyze the direction and tempo of subcutaneous fat redistribution during ontogenesis, appearing sex differences and relations to puberty on the basis of 12-year longitudinal data of 270 boys and 154 girls from Cracow, Poland. They all had complete data (from 7 to 18-years old) of three trunk (subscapular, abdominal, suprailiac) and three extremity (triceps, knee, medial calf) skinfold thicknesses. The type of subcutaneous adipose tissue distribution was determined based on trunk to extremity ratio to analyze the process of fat redistribution. The analysis included medians of extremity and trunk skinfolds and medians of their sums and age altered frequency of central and peripheral type of fat distribution. To present empirical values, the median variability of the sums of three trunk and extremity skinfolds was calculated using a third degree polynomial as an age function. Polynomial regression of extremity skinfolds median explained 88% of its variability (F = 71.2, P < 0.001) and for trunk skinfolds as far as 96% (F = 111.65, P < 0.001). The median variability curves of both types of distribution crossed at the age of 11.88 in girls and 13.45 in boys directly preceding puberty stage, which indicated clear dependencies between fat redistribution and puberty. The results showed a tight connection between the process of subcutaneous fat redistribution and puberty, and also sex dimorphism of the process. More dynamic fat redistribution in boys contrasted trunk and extremity fatness, while in girls less dynamic changes resulted in more even fatness.

Anthropometric characteristics of elite cricket fast bowlers

The aims of this study were to describe the current anthropometric profiles of elite Australian female and male cricket fast bowlers and establish a set of reference values useful for future investigations on player selection, talent identification, and training programme development. The participants were 26 female (mean age 22.5 years, s = 4.5; height 1.71 m, s = 0.05; body mass 66.2 kg, s = 7.5) and 26 male (mean age 23.9 years, s = 3.5; height 1.88 m, s = 0.05; body mass 87.9 kg, s = 8.2) fast bowlers. The anthropometric profiles included the measurement of skinfolds, and segment lengths, breadths, and girths. A series of derived variables assessing the distribution of subcutaneous adipose tissue, the bivariate overlap zone, relative body size and proportionality, and somatotype were also calculated. The male bowlers had larger length, breadth, and girth measurements than their female counterparts. There were differences in proportionality between the sexes, with only the male bowlers exhibiting characteristics that could be considered “large” relative to height. The female bowlers had a higher sum of seven skinfolds (P < 0.001), were more endomorphic (F 1,50 = 30.18, P < 0.001), and less mesomorphic (F 1,50 = 10.85, P < 0.01) than the male bowlers. These reference data should be useful to practitioners and researchers interested in cricket. Further research is needed to clarify why only male fast bowlers had variables that were proportionally large relative to height.

Distribution of Abdominal Adiposity and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Yaquis Indians from Sonora, México

Studies on adiposity in indigenous populations from Mexico are scarce and there are not previous reports that examine the topography of abdominal fat depot and cardiovascular risk factors. Therefore, we determined the distribution of abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) and visceral adipose tissue (VAT), and analyzed its relationship with cardiovascular risk factors, in Yaqui Indians. In a cross-sectional population based study, a total of 82 apparently healthy Yaqui Indians (age 44 +/- 14 years and BMI 27.9 +/- 4.2 kg/m(2)) were randomly enrolled from Vicam, Bacum, and Potam, traditional Yaqui communities from Sonora, in northwest Mexico. Anthropometric parameters, single-slice computed tomography scans at the L(2)-L(3) intervertebral space, fasting glucose, insulin, and lipid profile were assessed. A total of 49 (59.7%) individuals were obese, showing a predominant area of abdominal SAT (319.5 +/- 118.2 cm(2)) over abdominal VAT (134.6 +/- 58.4 cm(2)). Both abdominal VAT (r = 0.54, P = .001; and r = 0.36, P = .01) and SAT (r = 0.15, P = .001; r = 0.47, P = .01) were positively correlated with age and BMI. Abdominal VAT was positively correlated with insulin (r = 0.69, P = .0001) and triglycerides levels (r = 0.42, P = .01). Among Yaquis Indians, obesity with predominant abdominal SAT is common and hyperinsulinemia is the most frequent cardiovascular risk factor. Abdominal VAT, but not abdominal SAT, was related to hyperinsulinemia and hypertriglyceridemia.

Independent associations of insulin resistance with high whole-body intermuscular and low leg subcutaneous adipose tissue distribution in obese HIV-infected women

Background: Obesity and insulin resistance are growing problems in HIV-positive (HIV+) women receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).Objective: The objective was to determine the contribution of adipose tissue (AT) enlargement and distribution to the presence of insulin resistance in obese HIV+ women.Design: Whole-body intermuscular AT (IMAT), visceral AT (VAT), subcutaneous AT (SAT), and SAT distribution (leg versus upper body) were measured by whole-body magnetic resonance imaging. Insulin sensitivity (SI) was measured with an intravenous glucose tolerance test in obese HIV+ women recruited because of their desire to lose weight (n = 17) and in obese healthy controls (n = 32).Results: The HIV+ women had relatively less whole-body SAT and more VAT and IMAT than did the controls (P < 0.05 for all). A significant interaction by HIV status was observed for the relation of total SAT with SI (P < 0.001 for the regression’s slope interactions after adjustment for age, height, and weight). However, relations of IMAT, VAT, and SAT distribution (leg SAT as a percentage of total SAT; leg SAT%) with SI did not differ significantly between groups. For both groups combined, the best model predicting a low SI included significant contributions by both high IMAT and low leg SAT%, independent of age, height, and weight, and no interaction between groups was observed (overall r2 = 0.44, P = 0.0003).Conclusion: In obese HIV+ women, high whole-body IMAT and low leg SAT% distribution are independently associated with insulin resistance.

Body composition predicted from skinfolds in African women: a cross-validation study using air-displacement plethysmography and a black-specific equation

Skinfold thickness (SF) measurements are commonly used for the indirect assessment of body composition. It is necessary to know how large the bias is when using Caucasian SF-based prediction equations Africans, as no specific equations exist. Our first aim was to test the validity of the equation of Durnin & Womersley for predicting body density from SF in Africans. The second aim was to determine the effect of calculating percentage body fat (%BF) from body density using a black-specific formula rather than the Siri equation, thus taking into account the higher fat-free mass (FFM) density in blacks than in whites. A total of 196 African women volunteered. Mean age was 29.5 (sd 8.7) years and mean BMI was 22.5 (sd 4.6) kg/m2. We compared body density values predicted from SF with those measured by air-displacement plethysmography, and %BF values obtained from body density using the Siri equation or the black-specific calculation. The bias (reference minus prediction) was 0.0100 kg/cm3 in body density (P<10(-4)) and 6.5 % BF (P<10(-4)), and the error (sd of the bias) 0.0097 kg/l and 4.5 % BF. With the black-specific equation, the bias was reduced by 1.9 % BF, while error remained similar. As the %BF prediction required an SF-based equation followed by a body density-based calculation, the lack of validity we observed in Africans may be due to known differences between blacks and whites in the distribution of subcutaneous adipose tissue and, as demonstrated, in the FFM density. Equations thus need to be established using SF values specific to Africans.