Association Between Metabolic and Endocrine Parameters With Visceral Adiposity Index-Defined Adipose Tissue...

Overweight and obesity are defined by body mass index (BMI); however, this indicator does not address the wide variability that exists in metabolic health for a given BMI. This largely depends on adipose tissue functionality and location, with larger visceral depots elevating inflammation and cardiometabolic risk. The visceral adiposity index (VAI) provides a closer approach to adipose tissue functionality; however, there are limited studies addressing its ability to identify differences in metabolic health among young adults with excess weight. We evaluated whether low versus high VAI (L-VAI vs. H-VAI) groups differ in body composition, endocrine and metabolic indicators, and indices of metabolic risk and adipose tissue function.

Fifty-two healthy adult males with BMI ≥ 25 kg/m² were evaluated in this cross-sectional study. Subjects were classified as L-VAI or H-VAI according to the VAI cutoff proposed for adipose tissue dysfunction (> 2.52). Weight, height, arterial blood pressure, body composition, and metabolic/endocrine parameters were compared in L-VAI versus H-VAI groups.

Subjects in the H-VAI group (∼40%) showed greater truncal fat mass and lower adiponectin/leptin ratio (Ad/Lep), as well as greater indices of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR and triglyceride/glucose) and the metabolic syndrome severity score. Significant positive correlations were found between VAI and the cardiovascular risk and metabolic syndrome-related factors, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), uric acid, and HOMA-IR and an inverse association with adiponectin and Ad/Lep.

Our observations indicate that VAI is a useful tool to assess cardiometabolic risk and adipose tissue functionality in young adult males with overweight and obesity.