Effect of weight loss on body fat distribution in obese children

The intra-abdominal visceral fat to subcutaneous fat ratio (V/S ratio) has been reported to be strongly related to disorders of glucose and lipid metabolism, and hypertension. It is a matter of concern as to whether weight loss causes an improvement of the V/S ratio or not in obese children. Changes in body fat distribution during weight loss in 23 obese children were quantified by weight, bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and computed tomography (CT scan of the abdomen). Twenty-three patients were divided into two groups; six were in the inpatient group and 17 were in the outpatient group. Bodyweight, body fat percentage, subcutaneous fat and visceral fat were significantly higher in the inpatient group than in the outpatient group before weight loss. Whereas the V/S ratio was almost equal between the two groups before weight loss. Bodyweight, body fat percentage, subcutaneous fat and visceral fat were found to decrease significantly during weight loss in the two groups. The V/S ratio of the outpatient group did not change after weight loss. In contrast, the V/S ratio of the inpatient group decreased significantly during weight loss. These preliminary findings suggest that a large amount of body fat and a high obesity rate are not always accompanied by a high V/S ratio in obese children. The fat pattern changes during weight loss with strict dietary therapy and therapeutic exercise. A larger sample of obese children should be studied to test this conjecture.