Interrelationships between changes in anthropometric variables and computed tomography indices of abdominal fat distribution in response to a 1-year physical activity–healthy eating lifestyle modification program in abdominally obese men

Abstract

The objectives were to (i) measure the effects of a 1-year lifestyle modification program on body fat distribution/anthropometric variables; (ii) determine the interrelationships between changes in all these variables; and (iii) investigate whether there is a selective reduction in deep (DSAT) vs. superficial subcutaneous adipose tissue (SSAT) at the abdominal level following a 1-year lifestyle modification program. Anthropometric variables, body composition and abdominal and midthigh fat distribution were assessed at baseline and after 1 year in 109 sedentary, dyslipidemic and abdominally obese men. Reductions in anthropometric variables, skinfold thicknesses (except the trunk/extremity ratio) and fat mass as well as an increase in fat-free mass were observed after 1 year (p < 0.0001). Decreases in abdominal adipose tissue volumes were also noted (-23%, -26%, -18%, -19%, -17%, p < 0.0001 for total adipose tissue, visceral adipose tissue, subcutaneous adipose tissue, DSAT and SSAT, respectively). Adipose tissue areas at midthigh also decreased (-18%, -18%, -17%, p < 0.0001 for total, deep, and subcutaneous adipose tissue, respectively). A reduction (-9%, p < 0.0001) in low-attenuation muscle area and an increase (+1%, p < 0.05) in normal-attenuation muscle area were also observed. There was a positive relationship between changes in visceral adipose tissue and changes in DSAT (r = 0.65, p < 0.0001) or SSAT (r = 0.63, p < 0.0001). Although absolute changes in DSAT were greater than changes in SSAT, relative changes in both depots were similar, independent of changes in visceral adipose tissue. The 1-year lifestyle modification program therefore improved the body fat distribution pattern and midthigh muscle quality in abdominally obese men.

Visceral and ectopic fat, atherosclerosis, and cardiometabolic disease: a position statement

“…39 Although evidence including meta-analyses suggests an association between reductions in waist circumference and VAT, [40][41][42] the variance explained is fairly small (about 40%). [43][44][45] However, to our knowledge there is no study reporting that a reduction in waist circumference is not associated with a corresponding reduction in VAT. Thus, although it is reasonable to…”

Impact of a non-restrictive satiating diet on anthropometrics, satiety responsiveness and eating behaviour traits in obese men displaying a high or a low satiety phenotype

“…As a weight reduction of 5–10 % of initial body weight has been shown to have important health benefits ( 27 ) , this may lead to positive overall health outcomes. Furthermore, the significant decrease in waist circumference observed in all subgroups also suggests that some loss of abdominal adipose tissue was obtained ( 28 ) , a reduction also predictive of improvements in the metabolic profile and cardiovascular health ( 29 ) .…”

Relationships of adiponectin to regional adiposity, insulin sensitivity, serum lipids, and inflammatory markers in sedentary and endurance-trained Japanese young women

“…These findings indicate that the effect of physical activity on insulin sensitivity is partly mediated by the reduction of body weight and/or body fat mass. One of the main effects of physical activity on body mass distribution is the prevention of subcutaneous fat mass from transferring into the abdominal cavity and leading to a major deposition of adipose tissue in the subcutaneous region ( 7 , 8 ).…”