Alu insertions versus blood group plus protein genetic variability in four Amerindian populations

BACKGROUND: Do the population relationships obtained using DNA or blood group plus protein markers remain the same or do they reveal different patterns, indicating that the factors which influence genetic variation at these two levels of analysis are diverse? Can these markers shed light on the biological classification of the Aché, a Paraguayan tribe which only recently established more permanent contacts with non-Indians? SUBJECTS AND METHODS: To consider these questions we typed 193 individuals from four Amerindian tribes in relation to 12 Alu polymorphisms (five of them never studied in these populations), while 22 blood group plus protein systems were studied among the Aché. These data were then integrated with those previously available (blood groups plus proteins) for the three other populations. DNA extraction and amplification, as well as the other laboratory procedures, were performed using standard methods currently in use in our laboratory. The genetic relationships were obtained using the D(A) distance, and the trees were constructed by the neighbour-joining method, both developed by M. Nei and collaborators. Reliability of the trees was tested by bootstrap replications. Other population variability values were also determined using Nei's methods. RESULTS: Alu polymorphism was observed in all populations and for most of the loci; in the seven systems from which we could compare our results with those of other Amerindian groups agreement was satisfactory. Unusual findings on the blood group plus protein systems of the Aché were a very low (5%) HP*1 frequency and the presence of the C(W) phenotype in the Rh blood group. The intertribal patterns of relationship and other aspects of their variation were remarkably congruent in the two sets (Alu; blood group plus protein) of systems. CONCLUSIONS: The answer to the first question posed above is affirmative. However, the problem of whether the Aché derived from a Gê group that preceded the Guarani colonization of Paraguay, or are just a differentiated Guarani group, could not be answered with the genetic information available; the second hypothesis seems more likely at present, but the point to be emphasized is the striking genetic distinctiveness of the Aché as compared to other Amerindians.     

Reference Values of Body Composition Indices: The Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys

Purpose

An increase in the prevalence of obesity has been observed in children and adolescents. As remarkable changes in body composition occur with growth during the adolescent period, it is important that changes in body composition be monitored. The purpose of this study was to propose reference percentile values for body composition indices including body mass index (BMI) in children and adolescents in Korea.

Materials and Methods

This study was performed using data from the Fourth and Fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys. Body composition data were obtained using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The percentile curves of body composition indices were constructed by the LMS method.

Results

A total of 2123 children and adolescents between the ages of 10 and 19 years were included in this study. We obtained the percentile curves for BMI and body composition indices.

Conclusion

The reference values for body composition from this study could help with assessing body composition in Korean adolescents.     

Sex Differences in the Association of Regional Fat Distribution with the Severity of Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Study Objectives:

To describe sex differences in the associations between severity of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and measures of obesity in body regions defined using both dual-energy absorptiometry and traditional anthropometric measures in a sleep-clinic sample.

Design:

A prospective case-series observational study.

Setting:

The Western Australian Sleep Health Study operating out of the Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital Sleep Clinic, Perth, Western Australia.

Participants:

Newly referred clinic patients (60 men, 36 women) suspected of having OSA.

Interventions:

N/A

Measurements and Results:

Obstructive sleep apnea severity was defined by apnea-hypopnoea index from laboratory-based overnight polysomnography. Body mass index, neck, waist and hip circumference, neck-to-waist ratio, and waist-to-hip ratio were measured. Dual energy absorptiometry measurements included percentage fat and lean tissue. Multivariate regression models for each sex were developed. In women, percentage of fat in the neck region and body mass index together explained 33% of the variance in apnea-hypopnea index. In men, percentage of fat in the abdominal region and neck-to-waist ratio together accounted for 37% of the variance in apnea-hypopnea index.

Conclusions:

Regional obesity is associated with obstructive sleep apnea severity, although differently in men and women. In women, a direct influence of neck fat on the upper airway patency is implicated. In men, abdominal obesity appears to be the predominant influence. The apnea-hypopnea index was best predicted by a combination of Dual Energy Absorptiometry-measured mass and traditional anthropometric measurements.

Citation:

Simpson L; Mukherjee S; Cooper MN; Ward KL; Lee JD; Fedson AC; Potter J; Hillman Fanzca DR; Eastwood P; Palmer LJ; Kirkness J. Sex differences in the association of regional fat distribution with the severity of obstructive sleep apnea. SLEEP 2010;33(4):467-474     

Microsatellite DNA markers from HLA region ( D6S105, D6S265 and TNFa ) in autochthonous Basques from Northern Navarre (Spain)

Background : The extent of the genetic polymorphism of the HLA complex is becoming well characterized in Basque population and their subpopulations. This level of knowledge mainly concerns HLA class I loci. However, Basque population surveys dealing with HLA class II genes and/or microsatellites in the HLA region are still very scarce. Aim : The population genetics of three highly polymorphic short tandem repeat (STR) loci, D6S105, D6S265 and TNFa, from HLA region has been analysed in autochthonous (indigenous) Basques from Northern Navarre (Spain). The same blood samples have been typed for HLA class II genes from DQ/DR/DP regions and some findings from that information can be found therein. Subjects and methods : Blood samples were taken from 107 unrelated autochthonous Basques from Northern Navarre. The criterion used to define Northern Navarrese identity was that of three generations of Basque surnames and birthplaces. Results : The main features observed in Navarrese Basques were the rather high frequencies of alleles D6S105*4 and D6S265*7. A novel allele has been detected at the D6S265 locus (13: 145 bp). The most frequent haplotype was D6S105*8-D6S265*4 with a highly significant linkage disequilibrium being presented. The high frequency of allele TNFa*1 in Basques is noteworthy and this characteristic is not shared by other European populations, where TNFa*1 is absent or shows negligible values. The multidimensional scaling analysis (MDS) for TNFa allele frequencies has shown a high variability among populations and that alleles TNFa*1 ( F ST = 0.0615) and TNFa*12 ( F ST = 0.0424) seem to have significant influence over the spatial population configuration. TNFa*2 showed the lowest FST value (0.0077) because of its conspicuous homogeneous distribution all over the European populations. Conclusions : Findings shown here on HLA microsatellites and their relationships with other HLA class I and class II genes in Basques can be helpful for those studies mainly addressed at detecting associations between HLA genes and diseases in the Basque area as a whole, and particularly in its autochthonous population, settled there since remote times.     

Gender differences in body fat of low- and high-body-mass children: relationship with body mass index

The primary objective of this study was to determine gender differences in total body fat mass (TBFM) and body fat distribution (subcutaneous fat mass, SFM; and internal fat mass, IFM) in a cross-sectional sample of 280 children. Measurements of the body composition of 141 boys and 139 girls, all apparently healthy and aged 3–6 years were made using bioelectrical impedance. Determinations of impedance were made using a four-terminal impedance analyzer (TP-95K; Toyo Physical, Fukuoka, Japan). Lean body mass (LBM) was calculated using a previously published equation [Goran MI, Kaskoun MC, Carpenter WH, Poehlman ET, Ravussin E, Fontvieikke A-M (1993) Estimating body composition of young children by using bioelectrical resistance. J Appl Physiol 75: 1776–1780]. SFM was calculated using a modification of the equation derived by Skerjl [Skerjl B, Brozek J, Hunt EE (1953) Subcutaneous fat and age changes in body build and body form in women. Am J Phys Anthrop 11: 577–580] and Davies [Davies PSW, Jones PRM, Norgan NG (1986) The distribution of subcutaneous and internal fat in man. Ann Hum Biol 13: 189–192]. The main modifications of the equation in the present study were the introduction of: (1) mean thickness of adipose tissue over body surface/2, and (2) skin mass. IFM was calculated as the difference between TBFM and SFM. The body mass index (BMI; kg/m²) was calculated from the formula: body mass/height². For each gender, the subjects in the lowest and highest 25th percentiles were designated as “low body mass” and “high body mass”, respectively. In the present study, no gender differences in absolute TBFM, SFM and IFM were observed in either of these groups. In contrast, gender differences in relative TBFM (%Fat) and SFM (SFM/mass) were evident in girls. However, the four subgroups were similar in terms of relative IFM (IFM/mass). The TBFM was independently related to SFM, IFM and %Fat in both genders after adjustment for BMI; however, there was no significant association of SFM with IFM after adjustment for BMI in any group. Even after adjustment for BMI, IFM was independently related to %Fat in both genders, although SFM was not independently related to %Fat in any group except low-body-mass boys. This study shows that relative TBFM and SFM are higher in high-body-mass groups and tend to be higher in girls than in boys, and that the higher %Fat in high-body-mass girls than in high-body-mass boys appears to be associated with internal adipose tissue deposits. External adipose tissue mass does not appear to be related to the higher %Fat levels in high-body-mass girls. In addition, subcutaneous fat mass appears to be higher in low-body-mass girls than in low-body-mass boys, although this observation needs confirmation using more valid measures of subcutaneous fat such as computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. Accepted: 18 February 2000     

Cut-off values of visceral fat area and waist-to-height ratio: diagnostic criteria for obesity-related disorders in Korean children and adolescents

Purpose

The aim of this study was to study the appropriate cut-off value of visceral fat area (VFA) and waist-to-height ratio (WTHR) which increase the risk of obesity-related disorders and to validate the diagnostic criteria of abdominal obesity and metabolic syndrome in Korean children and adolescents.

Materials and Methods

A total 314 subjects (131 boys and 183 girls) were included in this study. The subjects were selected from Korean children and adolescents who visited three University hospitals in Seoul and Uijeongbu from January 1999 to December 2009. All patients underwent computed tomography to measure VFA.

Results

The cut-off value of VFA associated with an increase risk of obesity-related disorder, according to the receiver operating characteristics curve, was 68.57 cm² (sensitivity 59.8%, specificity 76.6%, p=0.01) for age between 10 to 15 years, and 71.10 cm² (sensitivity 72.3%, specificity 76.5%, p<0.001) for age between 16 to 18 years. By simple regression analysis, the WTHR corresponding to a VFA of 68.57 cm² was 0.54 for boys and 0.61 for girls, and the WTHR corresponding to a VFA of 71.10 cm² was 0.51 for boys and 0.56 for girls (p=0.004 for boys, p<0.001 for girls).

Conclusion

Based on the results of this study, VFA which increases the risk of obesity-related disorders was 68.57 cm² and the WTHR corresponding to this VFA was 0.54 for boys and 0.61 for girls age between 10-15 years, 71.70 cm² and the WTHR 0.51 for boys and 0.56 for girls age between 16-18 years. For appropriate diagnostic criteria of abdominal obesity and obesity-related disorders in Korean children and adolescents, further studies are required.     

体质指数对超重与肥胖青少年血压的影响

目的探讨体质指数对超重与肥胖青少年高血压的影响。方法测量郴州市6所学校部分12～15岁青少年体重、身高、血压。结果 2566名在校学生血压偏高率为20.7%,其中血压偏高在非超重组、超重组和肥胖组检出率分别为19.15%、34.55%和39.29%,非超重组、超重组和肥胖组儿童血压偏高检出率组间差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。结论青少年血压偏高检出率随体质指数增加而明显增高。     

Ⅱ型糖尿病患者体成分、血糖和血脂的相关关系

目的:探讨Ⅱ型糖尿病患者的血糖、血脂和体脂肪的关系,为糖尿病的预防和诊治提供科学依据。方法:选择男性Ⅱ型糖尿病患者107名,男性健康对照106名。采用InBody220人体成分分析仪检测身体成分,日立7600全自动生化分析仪测定血糖和血脂,并计算其平均值和相关系数。结果:男性Ⅱ型糖尿病患者的体质量、体质量指数(BMI)、血糖、甘油三酯、总胆固醇、体脂肪量、体脂肪率和腰臀脂肪比均高于健康对照组,差异具有统计学意义。糖尿病患者的BMI与体质量、甘油三酯、体脂肪量、体脂肪率和腰臀脂肪比呈正相关;血糖除与总胆固醇呈正相关外,与其他项目均无相关性;甘油三酯与BMI、体脂肪量和总胆固醇呈正相关,与高密度脂蛋白胆固醇呈负相关。结论:糖尿病患者的血糖水平与身体成分、甘油三酯无相关性,与总胆固醇水平相关。     

Overweight and obesity in affluent school children of Punjab

In the present cross-sectional study, an attempt has been made to report the prevalence of overweight and obesity in school-going children of the affluent families of Punjab. A total of 1000 children (490 boys and 510 girls) were measured for height and weight. Overweight and obesity were assessed using age and sex-specific body mass index (BMI) cut-off points. In the present study, 12.24% boys and 14.31% girls were overweight, and 5.92% boys and 6.27% girls were obese. The prevalence of overweight and obesity among the affluent school children of Punjab was as high or higher as in some developed countries.     

The association between HLA-A, -B alleles and major histocompatibility complex class I polymorphic Alu insertions in four populations in China

The study of the association between polymorphic Alu insertions [human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-Alu] at five loci and HLA class I alleles at two loci allows for better identification of the origins and evolution of HLA class I region haplotypes in different populations. In the present study, we determined the frequencies of five HLA-Alus and their associations with HLA-A and -B alleles in Han, Wa, Maonan, and Jinuo populations. Our results showed a strong association between AluHG insertion and HLA-A*02 in all populations studied; however, the associations between AluHJ insertion and HLA-A*1101 and HLA-A*2402 and AluHF insertion and HLA-A*2601 were only observed in Han. The AluMICB insertion showed a strong association with HLA-B*5502 in Han, Maonan, and Jinuo. HLA-A*0101, HLA-A*0201, HLA-A*0203, HLA-A*1101, HLA-A*2402, HLA-A*2601, and HLA-A*3101 alleles were associated with one or more of the three different Alu elements within the alpha block as independent haplotypes, and HLA-A*0101, HLA-A*0201, HLA-A*0203, HLA-A*1101, and HLA-A*2402 alleles were associated with at least two different Alu insertions as a haplotype within the alpha block. We conclude that the HLA class I region haplotypes of the four populations were derived from different progenitor haplotypes, and relatively high rates of recombination between individuals with HLA-A alleles and different HLA-Alus occurred in this region.     

The contributions of lean tissue mass and fat mass to bone geometric adaptation at the femoral neck in Chinese overweight adults

Background: Overweight or obese populations may have lower risk of osteoporotic fractures and higher bone mineral density (BMD), while bone strength is determined not only by bone material but also by bone structural parameters. Thus, the influence of body weight on bone geometry was examined in Chinese overweight adults.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to explore how total body lean mass (TBLM) and total body fat mass (TBFM) contribute to the variation of bone geometry at the femoral neck in Chinese overweight adults.

Subjects and methods: Bone geometric parameters including section modulus (Z), cross-sectional area (CSA), subperiosteal width (W), cortical thickness (CT) and buckling ratio (BR) were compared in 100 overweight (body mass index, BMI?≥?23) vs. 100 underweight subjects (BMI?≤?18.5) in Chinese female and male adults aged 20–44 years by multiple regression analyses.

Results: Multiple regression analysis revealed that both TBLM and TBFM were significantly higher in overweight subjects than in underweight subjects. Meanwhile, significant differences in bone geometric parameters (except W) were also detected between the overweight and underweight groups after adjustment for age and height in both sexes (p?≤?0.001). Bone bending strength Z and axial strength CSA were 14% and 13% higher in females, as well as 18% and 20% higher in males in the overweight group than in the underweight group, respectively. The significant differences mentioned above were not observed when adjusted for TBLM, age, and height. TBLM seemed to be the strongest significant positive predictor of bone geometric parameters (p?<?0.001), with the exception of W in both sexes and BR in females, while TBFM did not contribute significantly to the bone geometric parameters (p?>?0.055 for both sexes).

Conclusion: Bone geometry may adapt primarily to mechanical load as represented by TBLM, but TBFM seemed to have no independent effect on bone geometry in Chinese overweight subjects.     

Validity of BMI as a measure of obesity in Australian white Caucasian and Australian Sri Lankan children

Background: Body mass index (BMI) is used to diagnose obesity. However, its ability to predict the percentage fat mass (%FM) reliably is doubtful. Therefore validity of BMI as a diagnostic tool of obesity is questioned. Aim: This study is focused on determining the ability of BMI-based cut-off values in diagnosing obesity among Australian children of white Caucasian and Sri Lankan origin. Subjects and methods: Height and weight was measured and BMI (W/H²) calculated. Total body water was determined by deuterium dilution technique and fat free mass and hence fat mass derived using age- and gender-specific constants. A %FM of 30% for girls and 20% for boys was considered as the criterion cut-off level for obesity. BMI-based obesity cut-offs described by the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF), CDC/NCHS centile charts and BMI-Z were validated against the criterion method. Results: There were 96 white Caucasian and 42 Sri Lankan children. Of the white Caucasians, 19 (36%) girls and 29 (66%) boys, and of the Sri Lankans 7 (46%) girls and 16 (63%) boys, were obese based on %FM. The FM and BMI were closely associated in both Caucasians (r?=?0.81, P<0.001) and Sri Lankans (r?=?0.92, P<0.001). Percentage FM and BMI also had a lower but significant association. Obesity cut-off values recommended by IOTF failed to detect a single case of obesity in either group. However, NCHS and BMI-Z cut-offs detected cases of obesity with low sensitivity. Conclusions: BMI is a poor indicator of percentage fat and the commonly used cut-off values were not sensitive enough to detect cases of childhood obesity in this study. In order to improve the diagnosis of obesity, either BMI cut-off values should be revised to increase the sensitivity or the possibility of using other indirect methods of estimating the %FM should be explored.     

山东潍坊市汉族城乡学生身体体成分分析

目的 :探讨山东汉族儿童青少年身体体成分现状及变化规律。方法 :对山东省潍坊市城乡汉族学生进行了体格测量 ,并计算出体脂率、总体脂量和瘦体重等身体体成分 ;通过逐步回归对瘦体重及相关指标进行了回归分析。结果 :身体体成分随年龄的增长而增高 ,体成分在大多数年龄组存在性别差异和城乡差异 ;城乡男女生瘦体重与体重、肱三头肌和肩胛下位皮褶厚度之和、身高及上臂围存在回归关系 (F =1 82 90 .0～ 5 81 1 4.5 ,P <0 .0 0 1 )。结论 :瘦体重和皮褶厚度是评价儿童青少年营养状况和诊断肥胖的有效指标     

脐血促酰化蛋白水平测定与胎儿发育临床意义研究

目的探讨脐血促酰化蛋白(ASP)水平与胎儿生长发育的关系。方法研究对象为大于胎龄儿(LGA)、适于胎龄儿(AGA)和小于胎龄儿(SGA)各30例。应用酶联免疫吸附法(ELISA)测定血浆促酰化蛋白和脂联素浓度,用免疫比浊法测定甘油三酯(TG)、总胆固醇(TCH)、低密度脂蛋白-胆固醇(LDL-c)、高密度脂蛋白-胆固醇(HDL-c)的水平;并分析脐血促酰化蛋白水平与脐血脂联素水平、母血促酰化蛋白水平、新生儿性别、出生体质量、体质量指数、胎盘重量和血脂水平的相关性。结果①LGA的脐血ASP水平高于AGA,AGA的脐血ASP水平高于SGA,差异有统计学意义(P<0.001),三组新生儿血脂水平差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。②脐血ASP水平与新生儿出生体质量、BM、I脐血甘油三酯水平呈显著正相关(P<0.001),与血脂联素水平呈显著负相关(P<0.001),与母血ASP水平、胎盘重量无相关性(P>0.05)。③男、女婴脐血ASP、血脂各成分水平比较差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论促酰化蛋白参与胎儿生长发育调节,脐血ASP水平可反映胎儿的生长发育状况。     

Plasma ghrelin levels in children with cystic fibrosis and healthy children

Introduction

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a common genetic disorder as a result of mutation in the CF transmembrane conductance regulator gene. Weight loss in CF patients seems to be multifactorial and metabolic factors, inflammation, recurrent infections and poor appetite are possible candidates. Ghrelin affects energy hemostasis by stimulating growth hormone secretion, glucose and lipid metabolism alteration and inhibition of the inflammatory system. Data on the role of ghrelin in energy deficiency in CF patients are sparse and controversial. The study was done to compare the plasma levels of the acylated form of ghrelin in CF patients with healthy participants.

Material and methods

Thirty cystic fibrosis patients (aged 1-168 months) and thirty healthy matched participants were enrolled in the study. Plasma ghrelin and albumin levels were measured and body mass index (BMI) was calculated as well.

Results

Plasma levels of acylated ghrelin in CF patients were significantly higher than the control group (mean 25-75%: 14.5 vs. 2.7, p = 0.032). Body mass index measurements in CF patients were significantly lower than the control group (p < 0.001). Using regression analysis there was no statistically significant correlation between plasma ghrelin levels and serum albumin, weight, height or BMI values in CF patients and controls.

Conclusions

The acylated ghrelin levels are increased in CF. So plasma levels of acylated ghrelin could be used as an indicator of food uptake and energy balance in them. Further studies should be established to find out the exact role of factors affecting energy metabolism.     

北京市顺义区学龄儿童少年体重指数与体脂百分比关系的研究

目的 分析北京市顺义区儿童少年体重指数（BMI）和体脂百分比（PBF）的关系。方法 采用整群抽样法抽取顺义区小学生1477人,其中男生804人,平均年龄8.3岁,女生673人,平均年龄8.2岁;初中生1996人,其中男生1028人,平均年龄13.7岁,女生968人,平均年龄13.6岁,使用人体成分分析仪H-Key350测定PBF,并计算BMI,比较两者判定超重、肥胖的一致性。结果 北京市顺义区中小学生BMI与PBF两者呈正相关,小学生总体、男生、女生BMI与PBF均呈高度正相关,相关系数分别为0.907、0.919和0.904;初中生总体、男生、女生BMI与PBF的相关系数分别为0.694、0.833和0.845;与BMI标准判定超重相比,PBF判定的超重有较高特异度,小学和初中分别为84.71%和80.47%;而灵敏度差为14.42%和20.24%;与BMI标准判定肥胖相比,PBF判定的肥胖有较高灵敏度,小学和初中分别为99.86%和91.93%,而特异度差,只有73.56%和61.27%。结论 用PBF判断超重标准对于确定顺义区初中生和小学生超重和肥胖分别有较高特异度和灵敏度,可以使用PBF对学龄儿童开展超重和肥胖的筛查。     

National reference centiles of anthropometric indices and BMI cut-off values in a child population in Nepal

Background: There is a need for national- or ethnicity-specific growth reference values in developing countries like Nepal, where rapid urbanisation and consequential nutritional transition is taking place.

Aim: To establish national growth reference percentiles for anthropometric indices and to propose body mass index (BMI) cut-off values for Nepalese schoolchildren.

Methods: This study comprised 1135 Nepalese schoolchildren of four World Health Organization (WHO) indexed age groups (5-, 6-, 12- and 15-year-olds). The age- and gender-specific smoothed percentile curves for anthropometric indices (height, weight, BMI, waist circumference, waist-to-hip-ratio and waist-to-height-ratio) were constructed using LMS method and the corresponding Z-scores were computed. The Receiver Operating Characteristic analysis was used to determine BMI cut-off values based on the International Obesity Taskforce (IOTF) and the WHO growth references.

Results: The age- and gender-specified smoothed percentile values of anthropometric indices at 3rd, 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, 90th and 97th percentiles were computed. The BMI cut-off values for thinness (?1.2 SDS/12th percentile), overweight (+1.2 SDS/88th percentile) and obesity (+2.1 SDS/98th percentile) had high discriminating power, and high sensitivity and specificity.

Conclusion: The Nepali anthropometric cut-off values proposed here can be recommended to be applied into research, and to identify public health risks in Nepal among these age groups.     

Percent body fat is a better predictor of cardiovascular risk factors than body mass index

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the predictive values of percent body fat (PBF) and body mass index (BMI) for cardiovascular risk factors, especially when PBF and BMI are conflicting. BMI was calculated by the standard formula and PBF was determined by bioelectrical impedance analysis. A total of 3859 ambulatory adult Han Chinese subjects (2173 males and 1686 females, age range: 18-85 years) without a history of cardiovascular diseases were recruited from February to September 2009. Based on BMI and PBF, they were classified into group 1 (normal BMI and PBF, N = 1961), group 2 (normal BMI, but abnormal PBF, N = 381), group 3 (abnormal BMI, but normal PBF, N = 681), and group 4 (abnormal BMI and PBF, N = 836). When age, gender, lifestyle, and family history of obesity were adjusted, PBF, but not BMI, was correlated with blood glucose and lipid levels. The odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for cardiovascular risk factors in groups 2 and 4 were 1.88 (1.45-2.45) and 2.06 (1.26-3.35) times those in group 1, respectively, but remained unchanged in group 3 (OR = 1.32, 95%CI = 0.92-1.89). Logistic regression models also demonstrated that PBF, rather than BMI, was independently associated with cardiovascular risk factors. In conclusion, PBF, and not BMI, is independently associated with cardiovascular risk factors, indicating that PBF is a better predictor.