Anthropometry, DXA and leptin reflect subcutaneous but not visceral abdominal adipose tissue by MRI in 197 healthy adolescents

Jeanette Tinggaard, Casper P Hagen, Anders N Christensen, Annette Mouritsen, Mikkel G Mieritz, Christine Wohlfahrt-Veje, Jørn W Helge, Thomas N Beck, Eva Fallentin, Rasmus Larsen, Rikke B Jensen, Anders Juul, Katharina M Main

10 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: Abdominal fat distribution is associated with the development of cardio-metabolic disease independently of body mass index (BMI). We assessed anthropometry, serum adipokines, and DXA as markers of abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study that included 197 healthy adolescents (114 boys) aged 10-15 years nested within a longitudinal population-based cohort. Clinical examination, blood sampling, DXA, and abdominal MRI were performed. SAT% and VAT% were adjusted to total abdominal volume. Results: Girls had a higher SAT% than did boys in early and late puberty (16 vs. 13%, P<0.01 and 20 vs. 15%, P=0.001, respectively), whereas VAT% was comparable (7% in both genders, independently of puberty). DXA android fat% (standard deviation score (SDS)), suprailiac skinfold thickness (SDS), leptin, BMI (SDS), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), and waist circumference (SDS) correlated strongly with SAT% (descending order: r=0.90-0.55, all P<0.001) but weakly with VAT% (r=0.49-0.06). Suprailiac skinfold was the best anthropometric marker of SAT% (girls: R 2 =48.6%, boys: R 2 =65%, P<0.001) and VAT% in boys (R 2 =16.4%, P<0.001). WHtR was the best marker of VAT% in girls (R 2 =7.6%, P=0.007). Conclusion: sHealthy girls have a higher SAT% than do boys, whereas VAT% is comparable, independently of puberty. Anthropometry and circulating leptin are valid markers of SAT%, but not of VAT%.

Original languageEnglish
JournalPediatric Research
Volume82
Pages (from-to)620-628
ISSN0031-3998
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Oct 2017

Keywords

  • Journal Article

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