Relationship Between Right Ventricular Function and Body Composition in Adolescents and Young Adults

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Body Composition Research
• Adolescent and Young Adult Health

Background:

• Abnormal body composition, particularly overweight and obesity, is a growing concern in adolescents and young adults.
• Emerging evidence suggests a potential link between body composition and cardiovascular health, specifically right ventricular (RV) function.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between body composition and RV parameters/function in adolescents and young adults.
• To test the hypothesis that abnormal body composition is associated with RV dysfunction and subclinical cardiac changes.

Main Methods:

• Prospective study including 80 young adults (55 overweight/obese, 25 normal weight).
• Echocardiographic assessment of RV parameters and function.
• Analysis of correlations between RV measures and body composition metrics (lean mass, fat mass, serum protein).

Main Results:

• Overweight/obese individuals exhibited increased RV pressure load and larger RV diameter.
• Significant differences in RV size and strain were observed between groups.
• Lean body mass positively correlated with RV strain; fat mass and total serum protein negatively correlated with RV strain (p < 0.01).

Conclusions:

• Right ventricular function is significantly linked to body composition in young individuals.
• Improving body composition may prevent RV dysfunction; addressing wasting could enhance RV function.
• Overweight/obese young adults demonstrate reduced absolute RV strain compared to normal-weight peers.