Trunk-to-Leg Fat Ratio　– An Emerging Early Marker of Childhood Adiposity, and Future Cardiometabolic Risks –

Trunk-to-peripheral fat ratio predicts a subsequent blood pressure in normal-weight pubertal boys: a 3-year follow-up of the Kitakata Kids Health Study

“…It is well known that there is a certain degree of predictability in BP level when this is tracked from childhood to adulthood and that elevated BP levels persist over time and progress to adult hypertension [31]. Therefore, it is important to consider body fat distribution in addition to body fat mass to assess cardiometabolic risks [23]. The present results are consistent with previous crosssectional and cohort studies from the central region of N number, TAR trunk-to-appendicular fat ratio, TLR trunk-to-leg fat ratio, SBP systolic blood pressure, DBP diastolic blood pressure, ns not significant TAR was calculated as trunk fat divided by appendicular fat.…”

“…Even among those who are not overweight or obese, fat distribution measured by DXA seems to be associated with cardiometabolic risk factors in childhood [23]. It may be important to consider body fat distribution in addition to body fat mass to assess cardiometabolic risks [23]. However, subjects in the previous study conducted in Hamamatsu had a narrower age range (11 years old at baseline) [22].…”

“…Trunk-to-peripheral fat ratio (i.e., the trunk-to-leg fat ratio [TLR] and trunk-to-appendicular fat ratio [TAR]) measured by DXA at age 11 has been reported to predict blood pressure (BP) at age 14 in community-dwelling children in the central region of Japan (Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka), and that it is also meaningful for assessing body fat, particularly in underweight children [22]. Even among those who are not overweight or obese, fat distribution measured by DXA seems to be associated with cardiometabolic risk factors in childhood [23]. It may be important to consider body fat distribution in addition to body fat mass to assess cardiometabolic risks [23].…”

“…In addition, this study was unable to obtain data on potential confounders such as dietary intake and exercise [ 22 ]. Currently, no other cohort studies have examined DXA-measured trunk-to-peripheral fat ratio in relation to subsequent cardiometabolic risk in pediatric and adult populations, or whether it can serve as a valuable early indicator of cardiometabolic risk in childhood [ 23 ]. The present cohort study investigated the relationship between DXA-measured trunk-to-peripheral fat ratio at age 9.6–12.6 and cardiometabolic parameters at age 12.3–15.3 in normal-weight children in the northeast region of Japan (Kitakata City, Fukushima), adjusting for confounding factors including whole body fat.…”

Promoting physical activity through walking to treat childhood obesity, mainly for mild to moderate obesity

“…2 Nationwide studies indicate that obesity still represents a major public health concern worldwide for children and adults. [3][4][5] Common strategies for preventing or treating obesity in children and adolescents are promoting daily physical activity (PA), [6][7][8] modifying dietary intake, 8,9 limiting screen time (ST), 10,11 ensuring sufficient sleep duration, 11 providing parental and / or social supports, 7 and a combination of these strategies. 12 Participating in daily moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) for at least 60 min has been recommended for children and adolescents in many countries, and this is still a standard strategy.…”