Research Highlights

Estimation of visceral fat in 9- to 13-year-old girls using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and anthropometry

Lee, V., Blew, R., Hetherington-Rauth, M., Blew, D., Galons, J. P., Hagio, T., Bea, J., Lohman, T., and Going, S. (2018). Estimation of visceral fat in 9- to 13-year-old girls using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and anthropometry. Obesity science & practice, 4(5), 437-447. doi:10.1002/osp4.297

Abstract:

Objectives: Accumulation of visceral fat (VF) in children increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, and measurement of VF in children using computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is expensive. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) may provide a low-cost alternative. This study aims to determine if DXA VF estimates can accurately estimate VF in young girls, determine if adding anthropometry would improve the estimate and determine if other DXA fat measures, with and without anthropometry, could be used to estimate VF in young girls.

Methods: Visceral fat was measured at lumbar intervertebral sites (L1-L2, L2-L3, L3-L4 and L4-L5) using 3.0T MRI on 32 young girls (mean age 11.3 ± 1.3 years). VF was estimated using the GE CoreScan application. Measurement of DXA android and total body fat was performed. Weight, height and waist circumference (WC) measurements were also obtained.

Results: Waist circumference and body mass index were both strongly correlated with MRI, although WC was the best anthropometric covariate. Per cent fat (%fat) variables had the strongest correlation and did best in regression models. DXA %VF (GE CoreScan) and DXA android %fat and total body %fat accounted for 65% to 74% of the variation in MRI VF.

Conclusion: Waist circumference predicted MRI VF almost as well as DXA estimates in this population, and a combination of WC and DXA fat improves the predictability of VF. DXA VF estimate was improved by the addition of WC; however, DXA android %fat with WC was better at predicting MRI VF.

KEYWORDS: Imaging; Obesity; Pediatric; Visceral fat

Read Full Article in Obesity Science and Practice

Publication Highlights

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Lee V, Blew R, Hetherington-Rauth M, Blew D, Galons JP, Hagio T, Bea J, Lohman T, Going S. Estimation of visceral fat in 9- to 13-year-old girls using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and anthropometry. Obes Sci Pract. 2018 Sep 13;4(5):437-447. doi: 10.1002/osp4.297. eCollection 2018 Oct. PubMed PMID: 30338114; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC6180717.

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Grant Highlights

1 R34 DK118486-01 Hingle (PI)

07/18-06/20

NIH/NIDDK

Type 2 Diabetes Prevention in Community Health Care Settings for at Risk Children and Mothers

Goal: Test the feasibility and acceptability of a family-focused lifestyle behavior change intervention delivered to mothers with prediabetes and their 8-12-year-old children by staff at a Federally Qualified Health Center.

127849-IRG-16-124-34 IRG Allen (PI)

01/2018–12/2018

American Cancer Society-Institutional Research Grant

Hormonal Contraceptives and Menstrual Cycle Variability in Smoking-Related Symptoms

Goal: This project will prospectively examine the variability of smoking related symptoms (e.g., craving) during a six week period among premenopausal smokers who do not use any hormonal contraceptives or who use either depot medroxyprogesterone acetate or monophasic oral contraceptives.

R25 CA 1217725 (Thomson - PI)

09/01/2017-08/31/2022

NIH/NCI

Student Transformative Experiences to Progress Underrepresented Professionals (STEP-UP)

Goal: Recruit and retain undergraduate and Master's level graduate students. Provide an integrated, innovative, multidisciplinary educational experience in cancer prevention and control research that strengthens self-efficacy and intrinsic motivation to become a cancer prevention and control scientist. Support mentoring and professional relationships with scientists, research programs and community partners.

R01 HD74565 (Going, PI)

01/01/2012-12/31/2018

NIH/ NCHHD

Obesity and Bone Development in Young Girls

Goal: To examine the association between adiposity, metabolic risk factors and bone, as well as changes in structure and strength of bone during a critical phase of bone development in premenarcheal girls.

Multidisciplinary Program Feasibility Award (Bea/Thomson, M-PI)

03/06/2017-03/05/2018

University of Arizona, Office of Senior VP Health Sciences

Attenuation of Loss in Lean Mass during Cancer Therapy for Older Cancer Survivors (ALL study) Pilot Study

Goal: To assess body composition and muscle function in older cancer survivors undergoing chemotherapy.

5U54 CA143924 (Alberts, PI)

09/01/2017-08/31/2019

NIH/ NCI

Restoring Balance in Indian Country

Goal: The project aims to address physical activity as a protective factor to reduce cancer recurrence related risk factors among Native populations. The results of the proposed study may improve the quality of life of Native American Cancer survivors and may improve cancer care in Native American communities.

University of Arizona Health Sciences Career Development Award (Garcia - PI)

09/01/2016–08/31/2018

Advancing the Development of Precision Prevention Therapeutic Lifestyle Interventions to Prevent NAFLD and HCC in Mexican-Origin Men

Goal:The overall goal of this UAHS CDA is to receive mentoring and complete extensive training in precision prevention (population genetics, population health and metabolomics) to reduce cancer health disparities in Hispanic males, particularly Mexican Americans (MA).

1R01 AG055018-01 (Odegaard, PI)

06/15/2017 - 03/31/2021

NIH/NHLBI

Abdominal adipose tissue depots and cardiometabolic disease risk in postmenopausal women

Goal: New technology will derive abdominal visceral adipose tissue (VAT) values from existing DXA scans in the Women’s Health Initiative to evaluate the relationship between VAT and cardiometabolic disease risk.

ADHS16-162520 M. Muramoto (PI)

03/2017–02/2020

Arizona Biomedical Research Commission Investigator Award

Tobacco Cessation Brief Intervention Training for Behavioral Health

Goal: The overall goal of this research is to adapt the existing Helpers tobacco cessation training program to prepare behavioral health professionals and peer mental health mentors to motivate their clients to engage in evidence-based tobacco cessation treatment and to implement clinical practice changes to support cessation.

R01 CA186700 - 01A1 Thomson, CA (PI)

01/01/15-12/31/20

NIH

Study of Biomarkers in Ovarian Cancer: Modulation by Activity & Diet Intervention

Goal: Biomarker study in ovarian cancer survivors enrolled in a diet and physical activity intervention for improving survival in patients previously treated for Stage II, III, IV epithelial ovarian cancer.