Muscle-to-Fat Ratio for Predicting Metabolic Syndrome Components in Children with Overweight and Obesity
2The Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes Unit, Dana-Dwek Children’s Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, ישראל
3The Pediatric Gastroenterology Unit, Dana Dwek Children's Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, ישראל
Background: Pediatric obesity has been linked to the components of metabolic syndrome (MetS: abdominal obesity, atherogenic dyslipidemia, elevated blood pressure and insulin resistance). Data on the role of muscle mass in the development of MetS are sparse. We explored the interaction between the muscle-to-fat ratio (MFR) and MetS components in children with overweight or obesity.
Methods: an observational study of 210 pediatric subjects (88 boys, mean age [±standard deviation, SD] 11.9±3.1 years, body mass index z-score range 1.036-3.140) from January 2018 to January 2021. Body composition was measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA, Tanita MC-780 MA and GMON Professional Software), and MFR z-scores were calculated.
Results: The 148 subjects (70%) who had MetS components were older (P=0.008), had lower socioeconomic positions, higher triglyceride/high density lipoprotein-cholesterol ratios, fat percentages (FATP), truncal FATPs (TRFATPs), and lower MFR z-scores (P
Conclusions: Given the strong predictive value of the MFR z-score in the development of early-onset metabolic syndrome components, preventive strategies should apply interventions for improving the body composition parameters of both adiposity and muscle.