The Interplay Between Visceral Adiposity and Cardiometabolic Risk in Children With Obesity

Lately, pediatric obesity has become a global threat. It is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates from cardiometabolic diseases in young adults. The purpose of the study was to assess the correlation between visceral adipose tissue (VAT) thickness and cardiometabolic risk factors, including insulin resistance, in children and adolescents with obesity.

A cross-sectional study was conducted on 46 children and adolescents with obesity, with a mean age of 10.26 ± 2.79, from the pediatric clinical nutrition unit of Ain Shams University Hospital, Cairo, Egypt. VAT thickness and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) thickness were measured using ultrasound and correlated with anthropometric measures, fasting lipid profile, homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and alanine transaminase (ALT).

VAT thickness measured through ultrasound has demonstrated a positive correlation with body mass index (BMI) and HOMA-IR, with an area under the curve for VAT thickness as a predictor of insulin resistance being 0.858 and 2.98 cm as a cutoff point. In addition, VAT thickness positively correlates with serum triglyceride and ALT levels. Conversely, VAT thickness shows a negative correlation with HDL levels.

VAT thickness measured by ultrasound may be regarded as a suitable prognostic factor for insulin resistance and cardiometabolic risks in children and adolescents with obesity.