Altered Visceral Adipose Tissue Predictors and Women's Health: A Unicenter Study

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 May 1;19(9):5505. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19095505.

Abstract

(1) Background: The excess visceral adipose tissue (VAT) accumulation in women may reflect an early or advanced state of a metabolic disorder and a higher risk of cardiovascular disease than other types of obesity. This study aimed to determine the predictor variables (demographic information, anthropometric data, and blood biomarkers) for changes in VAT in adult women. (2) Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted with women aged 18-59 years attending nutritional consultation at the Centro Universitário de Brasília (CEUB)'s nutrition school clinic, Brazil. All participants' medical records were reviewed throughout the study and data of interest were collected. Various anthropometric measurements and biochemical exams were performed and analyzed in a univariate logistic regression model to identify the possible risk factors predictors for the presence of altered VAT. (3) Results: Our logistic regression model considered body mass index (BMI) greater than 25 kg/m2, lipid accumulation product (LAP), and waist-hip ratio (WHR) as predictors of altered VAT. (4) Conclusion: LAP has a robust predictive capacity for changes in visceral fat in adult women, followed by WHR and BMI, making these variables effective in assessing the risk for changes in visceral fat and their inclusion essential in the individual and collective clinical practice.

Keywords: lipid accumulation product; obesity; visceral adipose tissue.

MeSH terms

  • Adipose Tissue
  • Adult
  • Anthropometry
  • Body Mass Index
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intra-Abdominal Fat*
  • Waist-Hip Ratio
  • Women's Health*

Grants and funding

This research received no external funding.