Young adults who gain too much weight tend to have greater amounts of deep abdominal fat, a risk factor for heart disease later in life.
Young adults who gain too much weight, as teenagers tend to have greater amounts of deep abdominal fat, a risk factor for heart disease later in life.
To explore how body mass index (BMI) changes during childhood and adolescence predict adult fat distribution, Swedish researchers identified 612 boys aged between 18 and 20 years and monitored their BMI and detailed growth charts. Their body composition was analysed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) and adipose tissue areas using abdominal computed tomography (CT scans).
It was found that the participants whose BMI increased the most during adolescence tended to have the greatest amounts of visceral fat, deep hidden fat that surrounds the abdominal organs and is particularly linked to type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. Those with high BMI also had more superficial abdominal fat, fat layers just below the skin that, while linked to health risks, are a weaker risk factor than visceral fat. Meanwhile, greater BMI changes in late childhood were linked to adulthood levels of superficial belly fat only.
The above findings suggest that preventing excessive weight gain in adolescence, in particular, may help control visceral fat accumulation later on. As visceral fat is linked to heart disease and its risk factors, the findings also indicate that a high BMI in teens could affect their heart later on.
To explore how body mass index (BMI) changes during childhood and adolescence predict adult fat distribution, Swedish researchers identified 612 boys aged between 18 and 20 years and monitored their BMI and detailed growth charts. Their body composition was analysed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) and adipose tissue areas using abdominal computed tomography (CT scans).
It was found that the participants whose BMI increased the most during adolescence tended to have the greatest amounts of visceral fat, deep hidden fat that surrounds the abdominal organs and is particularly linked to type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. Those with high BMI also had more superficial abdominal fat, fat layers just below the skin that, while linked to health risks, are a weaker risk factor than visceral fat. Meanwhile, greater BMI changes in late childhood were linked to adulthood levels of superficial belly fat only.
The above findings suggest that preventing excessive weight gain in adolescence, in particular, may help control visceral fat accumulation later on. As visceral fat is linked to heart disease and its risk factors, the findings also indicate that a high BMI in teens could affect their heart later on.
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