Abstract

OBJECTIVE
The effects of longitudinal changes in the visceral fat area (VFA), and other anthropometric indices, on the risk factors of metabolic syndrome were not studied. We calculated the changes in metabolic risk factors in relation to changes in certain anthropometric indices in a large-scale study of Japanese men.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
The subjects were 1,106 men participating in the Hitachi Health Study who received a computed tomography examination in both 2004 and 2007. VFA, subcutaneous fat area (SFA), and waist circumference were measured using the computed tomography. We examined how longitudinal changes in each anthropometric index over a 3-year period influenced the value of each metabolic risk factor.
RESULTS
Changes (Δ) over a 3-year period in body weight, SFA, and waist circumference strongly correlated, while the changes in body weight and VFA were weakly correlated. Changes in the VFA were associated with changes in metabolic risk factors, especially changes in triglyceride and HDL; we found these changes to be independent of the body weight and waist circumference.
CONCLUSIONS
Change in body weight is not a precise surrogate marker of VFA, and repeated VFA measurements over time are useful. Adopting a lifestyle that does not increase the VFA is important in preventing metabolic syndrome.

Links

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Authors

Matsushita Y, Nakagawa T, Yamamoto S, Takahashi Y, Yokoyama T, Mizoue T, Noda M

Institution

Department of Clinical Research Coordination, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan. ymatsushita@ri.ncgm.go.jp

Source

Diabetes care 35:5 2012 May pg 1139-43

MeSH

Adult
Anthropometry
Asian Continental Ancestry Group
Body Weight
Humans
Intra-Abdominal Fat
Longitudinal Studies
Male
Metabolic Syndrome X
Middle Aged
Risk Factors
Waist Circumference

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Language

eng

PubMed ID

22432120