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Body composition phenotypes and carotid intima-media thickness in 11–13-year-old children

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Abstract

Early detection of impairment in vascular structure is an important clinical pursuit. However, it is unknown which measure of body composition best predicts vascular wall changes. We assess the differences in body composition among intima-media thickness (IMT) tertiles and determined which measures of body composition are associated with IMT in 385 children aged 11–13 years (196 girls). In this cross-sectional study, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), body fat mass (BFM), and trunk fat mass (TFM) from dual-energy radiographic absorptiometry and IMT through high-resolution ultrasonography were collected. Differences in body composition measures among IMT tertiles [low IMT (LIMT), ≤0.46 mm; middle IMT, 0.46–0.53 mm; higher IMT (HIMT), ≥0.53 mm] were assessed with ANOVA/ANCOVA after categorization. Regression analysis was used to assess the relationships between body composition and IMT. The groups were similar for sex, age, and maturity (p > 0.05). As compared with LIMT group, subjects with HIMT had higher mean values of BMI, BFM, TFM, and WC (p < 0.05). Significant differences were found for WC even when controlling for BMI (p < 0.05). Combining all subjects, IMT was significantly correlated to BMI, BFM, TFM, and WC (p < 0.05). In multiple regression, WC was the only predictor of IMT (β = 0.22, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Differences exist in body composition variables among IMT tertiles. In the overall model, WC was the only obesity-related predictor of increased IMT in 11–13-year-old children.

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Abbreviations

BFM:

Body fat mass by DXA

BMI:

Body mass index

CCA:

Common carotid artery

DIAM:

Diameter

DBP:

Diastolic blood pressure

HIMT:

Higher intima-media thickness

IMT:

Intima-media thickness

LIMT:

Lower intima-media thickness

Maturity:

Maturity offset

MIMT:

Middle intima-media thickness

PHV:

Peak height velocity

SBP:

Systolic blood pressure

TFM:

Trunk fat mass by DXA

WC:

Waist circumference

WHR:

Waist to hip ratio

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Acknowledgments

The first author of this paper is supported by a research grant from the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), Ministry of Education and Science of Portugal (grant SFRH/ BD/ 70515/ 2010).

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The authors have no competing interests.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Exercise and Health Laboratory, Interdisciplinary Centre for the Study of Human Performance, Faculty of Human Kinetics, University of Lisbon, Estrada da Costa, 1495-688, Lisbon, Portugal

    Xavier Melo, Helena Santa-Clara, Nuno M. Pimenta, Margarida Carrolo, Cláudia S. Minderico & Luís B. Sardinha

  2. Polytechnic Institute of Santarem, Health and Fitness, Sport Sciences School of Rio Maior, Rio Maior, Portugal

    Nuno M. Pimenta

  3. Faculty of Physical Education and Sports, Lusofona University, Avenida do Campo Grande 376, 1749-024, Lisbon, Portugal

    Sandra S. Martins

  4. College of Applied Health Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, 808 South Wood Street CMET 169, MC 518, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA

    Bo Fernhall

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  1. Xavier Melo
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Melo, X., Santa-Clara, H., Pimenta, N.M. et al. Body composition phenotypes and carotid intima-media thickness in 11–13-year-old children. Eur J Pediatr 173, 345–352 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-013-2164-7

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