Prenatal Environmental Exposure to Persistent Organic Pollutants and Indices of Overweight and Cardiovascular Risk in Dutch Adolescents

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) may have obesogenic effects. Knowledge about the effects of prenatal exposure to POPs on anthropometric measurements and metabolic parameters into adolescence is limited. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to determine whether prenatal environmental exposure to several POPs is associated with indices of overweight and cardiovascular risk in 13–15-year-old children. In this Dutch observational cohort study, 194 mother–infant pairs were included (1998–2002). Maternal pregnancy serum levels of PCBs, OH-PCBs, PBDEs, and other POPs were measured. At follow-up (2014–2016), levels of cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C, triglycerides, fasting insulin, fasting glucose, leptin, and adiponectin were measured in their children. The children’s height, weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, and blood pressure were measured. In total, 101 adolescents (14.4 ± 0.8 years; 53.7% of invited) participated of which 55 were boys. Mean BMI was 19.1 ± 3.6 kg/m² and mean BMI z-score 0.13 ± 1.14. Higher prenatal levels of PCBs were associated with lower levels of HDL-C and adiponectin in boys and higher levels of PBDEs with higher triglycerides in girls. We found significant differences by sex in the associations with OH-PCBs, with lower HDL-C and adiponectin, higher LDL-C/HDL-C ratio, fasting glucose, HOMA2-IR, height, and weight for boys. Our study indicates that higher prenatal exposure to PCBs, OH-PCBs, and PBDEs was associated with adolescent levels of some metabolic cardiovascular risk markers and hormones associated with the development of obesity and cardiovascular disease.     

Relationship between plasma adiponectin levels and metabolic risk profiles in Taiwanese children

OBJECTIVE: Adiponectin, a novel adipokine with antiinflammatory and insulin-sensitizing properties, has an important role in glucose metabolism and is negatively correlated with body fat amount in adults. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association of plasma adiponectin level with metabolic risk profiles and insulin resistance status among Taiwanese children. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: We enrolled 1,248 children (608 boys and 640 girls) to ascertain their demographic, anthropometric, and cardiovascular risk factors distribution in Taipei. We measured plasma insulin, adiponectin, and leptin levels by radioimmunoassay (Linco Research Inc, St. Charles, MO). We calculated an insulin resistance index (IRI) using the Homeostasis Model Assessment model and also calculated an insulin resistance syndrome (IRS) summary score for each individual by adding the quartile ranks from the distribution of systolic blood pressure, serum triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) (inverse), and insulin levels. RESULTS: In general, the boys had larger BMI, higher systolic blood pressure, serum total cholesterol, and triglyceride, and lower plasma leptin and adiponectin levels than girls. Plasma adiponectin levels were correlated negatively with BMI, leptin, insulin, IRI, and IRS summary score but positively correlated with HDL-C in both boys and girls. In multivariate regression analyses, adiponectin was negatively associated with insulin (girls only), IRI (girls only), and IRS score, and positively associated with HDL-C in both genders even after adjusting for age, BMI, plasma leptin level, and other potential confounders. DISCUSSION: These data suggest that plasma adiponectin levels were negatively associated with metabolic risk profiles that may have played a protective role in the development of insulin resistance among Taiwanese school children.     

女性青少年血清脂联素水平与血压的关系研究

目的分析女青少年血清脂联素水平与血压的关系,探讨脂联素对代谢综合征和心血管疾病的影响。方法随机抽选172名14~16岁女中学生,测量身高、体重、腰围和血压,检测血脂、血糖、血清脂联素、胰岛素水平。结果血清脂联素与收缩压(SBP)和舒张压(DBP)均呈显著负相关。多元线性回归模型分别校正BMI、腰围及代谢综合征其他因素后,SBP和DBP均与脂联素水平独立负相关。结论血清脂联素下降可能是导致SBP和DBP升高的因素之一,且该影响作用似独立于代谢综合征的其他成分。     

Evaluation of waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, and the conicity index as screening tools for high trunk fat mass, as measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, in children aged 3-19 y

BACKGROUND: A central fat pattern has adverse health implications in both children and adults. Because adiposity tracks from childhood into adulthood, the ability of simple anthropometric techniques to correctly measure truncal adiposity in childhood needs to be assessed. OBJECTIVES: We sought to assess the validity of waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and the conicity index as indicators of trunk fat mass in children and adolescents. DESIGN: Trunk fat mass (kg) was measured with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in 278 girls and 302 boys aged 3-19 y. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and areas under the curves (AUCs) for the ROCs were calculated to compare the relative abilities of the anthropometric measures to correctly identify children with high trunk fat mass (z score for our study population of > or =1). RESULTS: The 80th percentile for waist circumference correctly identified 89% of girls and 87% of boys with high trunk fat mass (sensitivity) and 94% of girls and 92% of boys with low trunk fat mass (specificity). Waist circumference performed significantly better as an index of trunk fat mass than did WHR or the conicity index, as shown by the AUCs in girls and boys, respectively: waist circumference AUCs = 0.97 and 0.97, conicity index AUCs = 0.80 and 0.81, and WHR AUCs = 0.73 and 0.71. Our cutoffs for high trunk fat mass and high waist circumference are provided for both sexes for each year of age. CONCLUSION: Waist circumference provides a simple yet effective measure of truncal adiposity in children and adolescents.     

南京市3~6岁儿童腰围、臀围变化及体格相关指标关系分析

目的 了解南京市3~6岁儿童腰围、臀围、腰臀比的现状及其与体格相关指标的关系,有针对性地制定措施,更好地促进儿童健康成长。方法 2015年采用分层随机整群抽样的方法调查南京市4 300名3~6岁儿童的腰围、臀围指标,计算腰臀比并对体格相关指标进行分析。结果 男、女童腰围、臀围均随着年龄的增加而增加,腰臀比随着年龄的增加而降低。平均腰围:男童49.4~54.5 cm,女童47.5~53.2 cm;平均臀围:男童53.3~62.5 cm,女童53.0~60.9 cm;平均腰臀比:男童0.87~0.96 cm,女童0.87~0.90 cm。儿童腰围、臀围及腰臀比在性别年龄组间差异有统计学。腰围和臀围分别与体重、身高及体重指数(BMI)呈正相关。腰臀比随着年龄的增加而降低,与身高、臀围呈负相关。结论 南京市3~6岁儿童腰围、臀围存在年龄和性别差异,腰围、臀围、腰臀比与其体重、身高及BMI有关。     

Plasma adiponectin levels in overweight and obese Asians

OBJECTIVE: Hypoadiponectin has been documented in subjects with obesity, diabetes mellitus, or coronary heart disease, suggesting a potential use of plasma adiponectin in following the clinical progress in subjects with metabolic syndrome (MS). In this study, we investigated the plasma adiponectin levels in relation to the variables of MS among overweight/obese Asian subjects. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: The plasma adiponectin, anthropometric and biochemical measurements, oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT), and modified insulin suppression tests were performed on 180 overweight/obese Asian subjects [body mass index (BMI) >or= 23 kg/m(2)], including 47 subjects with morbid obesity (BMI >or= 40 kg/m(2)). RESULTS: The plasma adiponectin levels negatively correlated with BMI, waist-to-hip ratio, fasting plasma glucose, insulin, triglyceride, uric acid levels, hyperinsulinemia, and glucose intolerance in OGTT, but positively with high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol. In contrast, they were not related to blood pressure and total cholesterol. Moreover, insulin sensitivity, measured by quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) or in insulin suppression tests, significantly correlated with the plasma adiponectin levels. Among morbidly obese subjects, only the waist-to-hip ratio correlated with the plasma adiponectin levels. Using multivariate linear regression models, the area under curve of plasma glucose in OGTT and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol among the overweight/obese subjects and WHR among the morbidly obese subjects were significantly related to the plasma adiponectin levels after adjustment for other variables. DISCUSSION: In overweight/obese Asians, the plasma adiponectin levels significantly correlated with various indices of MS except hypertension. Whether the plasma adiponectin level could be a suitable biomarker for following the clinical progress of MS warrants further investigation.     

Waist-hip ratio and waist circumference associated with body mass index in a study with schoolchildren

The objectives of this study were to determine the percentile levels of the anthropometric indices body mass index (BMI), waist-hip ratio (WHR), and waist circumference (WC) and to verify possible correlations among theses indices in schoolchildren registered at the State Institute of Education, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina State, Brazil. A total of 419 children ages 7 to 9 years were investigated: 215 (51.3%) boys and 204 (48.7%) girls. BMI, WHR, and WC were higher for boys than for girls. However, the differences were only statistically significant for WHR and WC. Prevalence rates were 17.9% for overweight and 6.7% for obesity. The anthropometric indices with the highest correlation were BMI and WC (r = 0.87 and p < 0.01). For overweight, BMI and WC also presented the strongest correlation (r = 0.74). For obesity, WHR and WC showed the best correlation (r = 0.54).     

Neck circumference is a better correlate of insulin resistance markers than other standard anthropometric indices in patients presenting severe obesity

BackgroundPrevious studies have demonstrated stronger associations between metabolic alterations and neck circumference (NC) than with body mass index (BMI) or waist circumference (WC). However, most of these studies were performed in individuals presenting overweight or mild obesity.ObjectiveTo determine which adiposity index among BMI, WC, NC and fat mass (FM) can best predict metabolic alterations in men and women presenting severe obesity.MethodsAnthropometric and plasma biochemical parameters were measured in 81 participants presenting severe obesity (19 men, 62 women; age: 44.5 ± 8.9 years; BMI: 43.5 ± 4.1 kg/m²). Multiple linear regressions were used to determine the best predictors of metabolic alterations among each adiposity index.ResultsNC was positively correlated with fasting insulin concentrations, C-peptide concentrations and HOMA-IR values and negatively correlated with HDL-C concentrations. NC was the best predictor of glucose homeostasis indices and HDL-C concentrations in models also including sex, BMI, WC, and FM. The ROC curve analysis indicated that a NC ≥ 37.8 cm best predicted type 2 diabetes.ConclusionsNC seems a better predictor of insulin resistance and lower HDL-C concentrations in patients presenting severe obesity compared to other standard anthropometric indices, and particularly in women. The small sample size in men prevent us to draw clear conclusions. NC could be useful in targeting patients with metabolic alterations who could benefit from medical or surgical treatment of obesity.     

Prevalence of traditional and novel markers of cardiovascular disease risk in Scottish adolescents: socioeconomic effects

Information on the health status and physical activity of Scottish adolescents is limited. This study examines the prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in Scottish adolescents by socioeconomic status (SES). Participants were recruited from two high schools that differed in the SES of the students in attendance. The sample included 73 boys and 34 girls (16.4 ± 0.6 years). Variables included anthropometry, physical activity, physical fitness, blood pressure, diet, and 11 metabolic markers of CVD risk. Significant sex differences (P ≤ 0.01) were noted for stature, waist circumference, waist-hip ratio, physical activity, cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular power, sprint speed, and several CVD risk factors: high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. Boys from a lower SES had significantly higher levels of glucose and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) but lower levels of adiponectin compared with boys from a higher SES. Girls from a lower SES had significantly (P ≤ 0.01) higher glucose and PAI-1 levels but lower levels of insulin and adiponectin than girls from a higher SES. High fat diets, low physical activity levels, and elevated CRP and total cholesterol levels were the CVD risk factors most commonly identified as being at-risk levels in this cohort, regardless of sex or SES. SES differences were not consistently apparent, but several CVD risk factors were identified as elevated in this sample of adolescents, regardless of sex or SES.     

Lower serum adiponectin levels in African-American boys

OBJECTIVE: To examine adiponectin, an adipocyte-secreted hormone with anti-inflammatory and insulin-sensitizing effects, in relation to race or gender in younger subjects. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: The relationship of adiponectin, quantitated by radioimmunoassay, to anthropometric and metabolic factors (fasting insulin, glucose, and leptin) and reproductive hormones was examined in 46 healthy African Americans (25 girls/21 boys) and 40 whites (20 girls/20 boys) ranging in age from 12 to 21 years. RESULTS: There was no statistical difference in BMI or in BMI percentile among the four groups. Sums of skinfolds, but not skinfold percentile, were significantly lower in boys than girls (p = 0.001 and p = 0.896, respectively), whereas there was no difference between racial groups. Leptin was significantly greater in girls (p = 0.0002). There was no difference in fasting serum glucose, insulin, or homeostasis model assessment score among any of the groups. There was a significant negative univariate relationship between serum adiponectin and both BMI and BMI percentile for the entire group (p = 0.006 and p = 0.005). In a multivariate model, BMI percentile (p = 0.005) and the interaction between race and gender (p = 0.026) were significant predictors of serum adiponectin. In this model, African-American boys had the lowest serum adiponectin level, 37% less than white boys, who had the highest adiponectin levels. DISCUSSION: Serum adiponectin levels are reduced in young obese subjects (African Americans and whites) and are lower in African-American boys than white boys. A lower adiponectin level in African-American boys may predispose this group to a greater risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.     

Waist circumference percentiles for Canadian youth 11-18y of age

OBJECTIVE: To develop age- and sex-specific waist circumference reference data for Canadian youth. DESIGN: Cross-sectional population survey. SETTING: 1981 Canada Fitness Survey. SUBJECTS: Nationally representative sample of 3064 youth (1540 boys and 1524 girls) 11-18 y of age. INTERVENTIONS: Waist circumference was measured with a flexible anthropometric tape. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Smoothed and weighted 5th, 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, 90th, and 95th waist circumference percentiles derived from LMS regression. RESULTS: Waist circumference increases with age in both boys and girls, and boys have higher values of waist circumference than girls at every age and percentile level. CONCLUSIONS: These reference data can be used to identify youth with an elevated risk of developing obesity-related disorders and can serve as a baseline for future studies of temporal trends in waist circumference. SPONSORSHIP: This research was funded by the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario (Grant #T4946).     

Fasting plasma insulin modulates lipid levels and particle sizes in 2- to 3-year-old children

OBJECTIVE: Obesity and hyperinsulinemia are associated with dyslipidemia in adults and older children, but little is known about these relationships in very young children. We examined the relation of fasting insulin to lipid levels and lipid particle size in young healthy children. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Analyses were performed on data from 491 healthy 2- and 3-year old Hispanic children enrolled in a dietary study conducted in New York City, 1992-1995. Obesity measures included BMI, ponderal index, skinfold thickness, and waist circumference. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)- and high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol particle size were measured by nuclear magnetic resonance. RESULTS: Fasting insulin level was positively correlated with triglyceride levels (r = 0.24 for boys and r = 0.23 for girls; p < 0.001 for both) and inversely correlated with HDL-cholesterol level in boys (r = -0.20; p < 0.01). Higher fasting insulin level was also correlated with smaller mean HDL particle size in both boys (r = -0.21; p < 0.001) and girls (r = -0.14; p < 0.05) and smaller mean LDL particle size in boys (r = -0.13; p < 0.05). The associations of fasting insulin level with triglyceride and HDL-cholesterol levels and HDL and LDL particle size remained significant after multivariate regression adjustment for age, sex, and BMI or ponderal index. DISCUSSION: Fasting insulin level is associated with relative dyslipidemia in healthy 2- and 3-year-old Hispanic children.     

儿童血清ghrelin水平与血脂、瘦素、脂联素及胰岛素关系的分析

目的探讨儿童血清ghrelin水平与血脂、瘦素、脂联素及胰岛素的关系。方法采用多阶段随机抽样的方法,随机抽取879名8～10岁小学生作为调查对象。测量身高、体重、腰围,计算体质指数(BMI)、体脂百分比(%BF),测定血清总胆固醇(TC)、甘油三酯(TG)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)、空腹血糖、ghrelin、脂联素、胰岛素及瘦素。结果随血清ghrelin水平的升高,体重、腰围、BMI、%BF、血清瘦素水平逐渐降低(P<0.0001),血清HDL-C水平呈现逐渐增高的趋势(P<0.0001),血清TC、胰岛素和脂联素水平变化趋势不明显;与ghrelin密切相关的指标为体成分指标,包括身高、体重、腰围、BMI、%BF以及瘦素,其次是血脂代谢指标,包括TG、HDL-C、TC、LDL-C,第三是血糖代谢指标,包括空腹血糖和胰岛素。结论ghrelin与体成分指标、瘦素、脂联素、胰岛素以及血脂有不同程度的关联,但和身高、体重、腰围、BMI、%BF以及瘦素的相关最为密切。     

Relationships between Bone Turnover Markers and Factors Associated with Metabolic Syndrome in Prepubertal Girls and Boys

The associations between individual components of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and bone health in children are complex, and data on this topic are sparse and inconsistent. We assessed the relationship between bone turnover markers and markers of the processes underlying MetS (insulin resistance and inflammation) in a group of presumably healthy children aged 9–11 years: 89 (51 girls, 38 boys) presenting without any features of MetS and 26 (10 girls, 16 boys) with central obesity and two features of MetS. Concentrations of glucose, triglycerides (TG), HDL cholesterol (HDL-C), C-reactive protein (CRP), HbA1c, total 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), intact-P1NP (N-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen), CTX-1 (C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen) were assayed and insulin resistance was assessed (HOMA-IR). BMI centile, waist circumference (WC) and blood pressure were measured. The presence of MetS in girls resulted in significantly lower concentrations of CTX-1 and a trend to lower CTX-1 in boys. The concentrations of bone formation marker i-P1NP were not affected. Among the features associated with MetS, HOMA-IR appeared as the best positive predictor of MetS in girls, whereas CRP was the best positive predictor in boys. A significant influence of HOMA-IR on the decrease in CTX-1 in girls was independent of BMI centile and WC, and the OR of having CTX-1 below the median was 2.8-fold higher/1SD increased in HOMA-IR (p = 0.003). A weak relationship between CTX-1 and CRP was demonstrated in girls (r = −0.233; p = 0.070). Although TG, as a MetS component, was the best significant predictor of MetS in both sexes, there were no correlations between bone markers and TG. We suggest that dyslipidemia is not associated with the levels of bone markers in prepubertal children whereas CRP is weakly related to bone resorption in girls. In prepubertal girls, insulin resistance exerts a dominant negative impact on bone resorption, independent of BMI centile and waist circumference.     

2005年长沙市青少年腰围臀围及腰臀比的分布特征

目的研究长沙市11~18岁青少年腰围、臀围和腰臀比的分布特征。方法采用随机整群抽样的方法抽取长沙市两所学校,以参加2005年学生体质与健康调研的2 490名（男1 293名,女1 197名）11~18岁中学生为研究对象,测量腰围和臀围,并计算各年龄组男女学生的腰围、臀围和腰臀比的百分位数、均数和标准差。分析腰围、臀围、腰臀比的年龄别分布特点及各年龄组腰围、臀围和腰臀比的性别差异,并与美国疾病控制中心（CDC）1999-2002年青少年腰围数据和北京市青少年2004年腰围数据比较。结果（1）男女生腰围均随年龄增长,男生的腰围大于女生（P〈0.01）;（2）男生臀围均随年龄增长,除18岁年龄组外,女性的臀围高于男性（P〈0.01）;（3）男生腰臀比均大于女生（P〈0.01）;（4）长沙市男女生腰围第50百分位数值与美国和北京青少年腰围比较,男生腰围小于美国但高于北京数据,都有随年龄增高的趋势。女生的腰围曲线较北京和美国平缓,无显著快速增长期。结论长沙市青少年腰围、臀围、腰臀比在不同性别和不同年龄组学生中存在差异,腰围在不同种族和地域间也存在差别。建议将腰围作为青少年健康体检的常规测量指标,并为进一步研究随时间变化趋势及国际间比较提供基本数据。     

Decrease in serum adiponectin level due to obesity and visceral fat accumulation in children

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether serum adiponectin is decreased in obesity and is restored toward normal level after treatment in children. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Subjects were 53 Japanese obese children, 33 boys and 20 girls (6 to 14 years old), and 30 age-matched nonobese controls for measuring adiponectin (16 boys and 14 girls). Blood was drawn after an overnight fast, and the obese children were subjected to anthropometric measurements including waist and hip circumferences and skinfold thicknesses. Paired samples were obtained from 21 obese children who underwent psychoeducational therapy. Visceral adipose tissue area was measured by computed tomography. Adiponectin was assayed by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: The serum levels of alanine aminotransferase, uric acid, triglyceride, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, apo B, apo B/apo A(1), and insulin in obese children were higher than the reference values. Serum adiponectin level was lower in the obese children than in the controls (6.4 +/- 0.6 vs. 10.2 +/- 0.8 mg/L, means +/- SEM, p < 0.001). In 21 obese children whose percent overweight declined during therapy, the adiponectin level increased (p = 0.002). The adiponectin level was correlated inversely with visceral adipose tissue area in obese children (r = -0.531, p < 0.001). The inverse correlations of adiponectin with alanine aminotransferase, uric acid, and insulin were significant after being adjusted for percentage overweight, percentage body fat, or sex. DISCUSSION: Serum adiponectin level is decreased in obese children depending on the accumulation of visceral fat and is restored toward normal level by slimming.     

Relationship between body composition and blood pressure in Bahraini adolescents

The objective of the present study was to examine the relationship between body composition and blood pressure (BP) in Bahraini adolescents. A sample of 504 Bahraini schoolchildren aged 12-17 years (249 boys and 255 girls) was selected using a multi-stage stratified sampling procedure. BP measurements were performed on the students. Anthropometric data including weight, height, waist circumference (WC), hip circumference, and triceps, subscapular and medial calf skinfold thicknesses were also collected. BMI, percentage body fat, waist:hip (WHR), and subscapular:triceps skinfold ratio were calculated. Mean systolic BP and mean diastolic BP were higher in males than in females. Weight and height in boys and weight only in girls were significantly associated with systolic BP independent of age or percentage fat. Nearly 14 % of the adolescents were classified as having high BP. BMI and percentage body fat were significantly and positively associated with the risk of having high BP in the boys and girls. Adolescents with high WHR or WC, as indicators for central obesity, tended to have higher BP values. The results from the present study indicate that obesity influences the BP of Bahraini adolescents and that simple anthropometric measurements such as WHR and WC are useful in identifying children at risk of developing high BP. These findings together with the known tracking of BP from adolescence into adulthood underline the importance of establishing intervention programmes in order to prevent the development of childhood and adolescent obesity.     

Waist circumference shows the highest predictive value for metabolic syndrome,and waist-to-hip ratio for its components,in Spanish adolescents

Both waist circumference (WC) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) have been proposed as predictors of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in adolescents, but no consensus has been reached to date. This study hypothesizes that WC provides a greater predictive value for MetS in Spanish adolescents than WHR. A cross-sectional study was performed on 1001 adolescents (13.2 ± 1.2 years) randomly recruited from schools in southeast Spain. Anthropometric measures were correlated with the components of MetS (triglycerides, glucose, blood pressure, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol) as well as inflammation markers (interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor–alpha , C-reactive protein, and ceruloplasmin). Receiver-operator curves were created to determine the predictive value of these variables for MetS. Boys had higher values of all anthropometric parameters compared with girls, but the prevalence of MetS was significantly higher in girls. WHR was the only parameter that correlated significantly with all biochemical and inflammatory variables in boys. In girls, WHR, body mass index, waist-to-height ratio, WC, and body fat percentage correlated only with plasma insulin levels, systolic and diastolic pressures, and ceruloplasmin. In both groups, all anthropometric measures were able to predict MetS (area under the curve > 0.94). In particular, WC was able to predict MetS with area under the curve = 1.00. However, WHR was able to predict a higher number of components of MetS. WHR was the anthropometric index that showed the highest predictive value for MetS components, whereas WC was the one that best predicted the MetS among the population of adolescents studied. These findings justify the need to incorporate WHR and WC determinations into daily clinical practice to predict the MetS.     

Relation of anthropometric parameters to the functional assessment of HDL particle size in three ethnic cohorts

The purpose of this study was to characterize the association between HDL particle size (assessed by fractional esterification rate in apo B depleted plasma (FERHDL)), and anthropometric measures in men and women of Chinese, European and South Asian origin and to determine if ethnic background is a modifier of this relationship. A convenience sample of apparently healthy men and women of Chinese (n=56), European (n=66) or South Asian (n=76) descent were recruited and assessed for body mass index, waist circumference, blood pressure, lipids, insulin, glucose and FERHDL. Univariate correlations with FERHDL were determined within each ethnic-gender group. Regression analysis was used to determine if ethnicity was a significant modifier of the relationship between FERHDL and waist circumference. FERHDL was significantly correlated with various anthropometric measures within the ethnic and gender groups. The relationship between waist circumference and FERHDL was significantly different between the European, and Chinese and South Asian groups combined in women, but not in men. After adjustment for age, body mass index and insulin, ethnicity was no longer a significant predictor. However, ethnic background (European vs. Chinese/South Asian) was a significant predictor (P=0.034) of the relationship between FERHDL and waist circumference adjusted for age, gender, body mass index and insulin in the entire cohort. Increasing adiposity in Chinese and South Asian men and women is associated with a less protective HDL particle profile. Ethnic background (Asian compared to European) is a significant modifier of the relationship between FERHDL and waist circumference.     

Sex differences in the effect of body-composition variables on bone mass in healthy children and adolescents

BACKGROUND: Prophylactic interventions against osteoporosis require a determination of the factors that influence the accumulation of bone mass during growth. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to determine the independent sex-specific contribution of lean mass and fat mass to bone mineral content (BMC), after adjustment for anthropometric variables and lifestyle factors, in healthy children and adolescents. DESIGN: Healthy schoolchildren (184 boys and 179 girls) aged 10-17 y (x+/- SD: 13.0 +/- 2.1 y) participated in this cross-sectional study. Total and regional (lumbar spine, femoral neck, and distal one-third of the radius) BMC and body composition were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. RESULTS: A significant effect of anthropometric variables and lifestyle factors on BMC was observed at all skeletal sites. Lean mass and fat mass showed robust correlations with BMC, even after adjustment for anthropometric variables and lifestyle factors. Lean mass contributed to 6-12% of the variance in BMC in boys and to 4-10% in girls. Fat mass accounted for 0.1-2% of BMC variance in boys and to 0.1-6.5% in girls. CONCLUSIONS: Both lean mass and fat mass are consistent predictors of BMC at multiple skeletal sites in healthy children and adolescents. The contribution of lean mass to BMC variance was larger in boys than in girls. In both sexes, the highest contribution of lean mass to BMC was observed at the femoral neck.