Abstract
Visceral fat amount (VF) detected by computed tomography (CT) has been related to obesity complicances in adults. Ethical reasons exclude CT use in children studies. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a safe, not invasive technique suitable for body composition and fat distribution analysis even in children.
MRI (S.E. T1 300/200) was performed at lumbar level (1, 4) in 22 obese children (11 males and 11 females, RBW 121-205%) and 19 normalweight children, aged 10 - 15 years.
In contrast to adults, in obese children subcutaneous fat (SF) was predominant, about 55 to 75% of total L4 area. VF ranged 10 to 15% of SF, without differences regarding sex and pubertal stage. As morbidity risk index we evaluated visceral fat/intrabdominal area (VF/IA). Total cholesterol level and insulin response to OGTT were significantly related to VF/IA (p<0.02 and p<0.05, respectively), while glucose response to OGTT, Iriglyceride, HbAIc levels and blood pressure were not. Our data suggest that childhood obesity is predominantly subcutaneous, without sex differences, even during puberly. However VF seem to be already related to morbidity risk. Follow up studies will clarify changes in fat distribution leading to adult visceral pattern.
Log in or create a free account to read this content
Gain free access to this article, as well as selected content from this journal and more on nature.com
or
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Manzoni, P., Brambilla, P., Simone, P. et al. VISCERAL FAT DETECTED BY MRI AND METABOLIC ABNORMALITIES IN OBESE CHILDREN. Pediatr Res 33 (Suppl 5), S79 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199305001-00454
Issue date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199305001-00454
