Visceral Adipose Tissue in Women: Longitudinal Study of the Effects of Fat Gain, Time, and Race

Abstract

LARA-CASTRO, CRISTINA, ROLAND L. WEINSIER, GARY R. HUNTER, AND RENÉ E DESMOND. Visceral adipose tissue in women: longitudinal study of the effects of fat gain, time, and race. Obes Res. 2002;10:868 -874. Objective: To determine the effects of fat gain, time, and race on the accumulation of visceral adipose tissue (VAT) in a group of normal-weight premenopausal women. Research Methods and Procedures: Sixty-five women participated in the study (32 African American and 33 white). The mean age of subjects was 34 Ϯ 6 years (range, 22 to 47 years). Eligible subjects were women who had body mass indices Ͻ25 kg/m 2 at baseline and who had completed evaluations at baseline and at follow-up year 1, without intervention. A subset of subjects was reevaluated annually for up to 4 years. Body composition was assessed by DXA, and VAT was determined from a single computed tomography scan. A linear mixed model was used to examine changes in VAT over time, with total body fat as a covariate Results: Total fat mass was not significantly different between races at baseline and increased significantly in both groups over time (p Ͻ 0.001). Time-related increases in total body fat were greater in African-American women (p Ͻ 0.01). VAT was significantly higher in white women at baseline (p Ͻ 0.01) and increased significantly over time in both races (p Ͻ 0.01), but remained higher in white women (p Ͻ 0.001). Increases in VAT, relative to total body fat, were greater than the increases in total body fat over time, independent of age and race (p Ͻ 0.001).Discussion: Gaining total body-fat mass results in a higher increase in VAT, relative to total body fat, regardless of race and age, although African-American women maintain a lower VAT levels across time.

Ethnic differences in hepatic lipase and HDL in Japanese, black, and white Americans

“…The effect of ethnicity on visceral adiposity is well known. Several groups have reported lower amounts of visceral adipose tissue, by computed tomography, in blacks compared with whites matched for BMI and total body fat (45)(46)(47)(48). Despres et al (27) showed that at any level of total body fat, compared with black subjects, whites subjects have more visceral adipose tissue accumulation.…”

Individual differences in physical activity are closely associated with changes in body weight in adult female rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta)

“…In contrast, food intake did not correlate with weight gain, and there was no difference in weight gain between monkeys with the highest vs. lowest caloric intake, total metabolic rate, or basal metabolic rate. We conclude that physical activity is a particularly important factor contributing to weight change in adulthood and that there are large, but stable, differences in physical activity among individuals.exercise; obesity; weight gain; energy balance EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDIES INDICATE that body weight and body fat increase through early and middle adulthood such that by late middle age there is an increased percentage of overweight and obese individuals compared with the early adult period (33,57,63,108,115). Weight gain over the adult years has escalated over the past two decades such that 65% of adults in the United States have a body mass index (BMI) above the healthy range (Ͼ25.0 kg/m 2 ) (32).…”

“…exercise; obesity; weight gain; energy balance EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDIES INDICATE that body weight and body fat increase through early and middle adulthood such that by late middle age there is an increased percentage of overweight and obese individuals compared with the early adult period (33,57,63,108,115). Weight gain over the adult years has escalated over the past two decades such that 65% of adults in the United States have a body mass index (BMI) above the healthy range (Ͼ25.0 kg/m 2 ) (32).…”

Pathophysiology of Human Visceral Obesity: An Update

“…Abdominally obese individuals display altered expression and/or secretion patterns of key cytokines or adipokines such as tumor necrosis factor-␣ (TNF-␣), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, and interleukin-6 which can alter lipolysis, insulin sensitivity, and fibrinolysis (79,89,164,188,295,312,636). We have previously reported that elevated circulating concentrations of interleukin-6 may reflect a more dysfunctional adipose tissue possibly including increased macrophage infiltration and production of inflammatory cytokines.…”

“…As mentioned, visceral obesity is also associated with a low-grade inflammatory state (79,89,164,295,312,636). Both the inflammatory cells (macrophages) and the adipocytes themselves secrete many molecules, including proinflammatory cytokines that can impact tissues locally and systemically (152).…”