Body fat, pericardial fat, liver fat and arterial health at age 10 years

Abstract

Background: Body mass index is associated with carotid intima-media thickness and distensibility in adults and children.

Objective: To examine whether general and specific fat depots are associated with these markers of arterial health at school age.

Methods: This cross-sectional analysis was embedded in a population-based prospective cohort study among 4708 children aged 10 years. Body, lean and fat mass index were estimated by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Pericardial, visceral and liver fat were estimated by magnetic resonance imaging. Carotid intima-media thickness and distensibility were measured by ultrasound.

Results: A 1-standard-deviation-score (SDS) higher body mass index was associated with higher carotid intima-media thickness (0.06 SDS, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.03-0.08) and lower distensibility (-0.17 SDS, 95% CI: -0.20 to -0.14). These associations tended to be similar for lean mass index. A 1-SDS higher fat mass index was associated with lower carotid intima-media thickness (-0.08 SDS, 95% CI: -0.11 to -0.05) and lower distensibility (-0.10 SDS, 95% CI: -0.14 to -0.07). A 1-SDS higher liver fat fraction was associated with lower carotid intima-media thickness (-0.04 SDS, 95% CI: -0.08 to -0.00) and lower distensibility (-0.06 SDS, 95% CI: -0.10 to -0.03). We observed similar associations for visceral fat.

Conclusions: At school age, lean and fat mass seem to be differentially related to carotid intima-media thickness but not distensibility. Arterial development might be affected by lean mass, general and specific fat mass.

Keywords: cardiovascular disease; child; distensibility; epidemiology; intima-media thickness; obesity.