RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Sex differences in associations between body composition and cardiometabolic indicators in Chinese children: a cross-sectional study
JF BMJ Open
JO BMJ Open
FD British Medical Journal Publishing Group
SP e095049
DO 10.1136/bmjopen-2024-095049
VO 15
IS 5
A1 Wu, Lijun
A1 Huang, Yiying
A1 Chen, Yiren
A1 Liao, Zijun
A1 Li, Shaoli
A1 Liu, Junting
A1 Zong, Xin Nan
A1 Chen, Fangfang
YR 2025
UL http://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/15/5/e095049.abstract
AB Objectives Obesity is a growing global public health problem that increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of body composition on cardiometabolic indicators in children.Design Cross-sectional analysis.Setting China, the Beijing Children and Adolescents Health Cohort Study between 2022 and 2023.Participants This cross-sectional study included 5555 children and adolescents aged 6 to 17 years from 11 kindergartens and schools.Outcome measures We measured body composition using multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analysis and assessed the cardiometabolic indicators, including blood pressure, plasma glucose and lipids. Linear regression and binary logistic regression were performed to assess the associations between body composition and cardiometabolic abnormalities.Results In boys, fat mass index (FMI) was positively correlated with total cholesterol (TC) (in normal fat-free mass (FFM) group, β=0.036, 95% CI 0.027 to 0.046; in high FFM group, β=0.034, 95% CI 0.016 to 0.051) and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) (in normal FFM group, β=0.019, 95% CI 0.012 to 0.026; in high FFM group, β=0.030, 95% CI 0.005 to 0.054). FFMI was negatively associated with TC only in the normal fat group (β=−0.047, 95% CI −0.069 to −0.034) in boys. However, in girls, FMI was not significantly associated with TC and was positively associated with FPG only in the normal FFM group (β=0.033, 95% CI 0.024 to 0.041), and FFMI was negatively correlated with TC (in normal fat group, β=−0.058, 95% CI −0.079 to −0.038; in high fat group, β=−0.049, 95% CI −0.084 to −0.015). Normal FFM-high fat (OR=2.065, 95% CI 1.379 to 3.091) and increased visceral fat region (OR=1.357, 95% CI 1.195 to 1.540) were risk factors for high TC in boys but not in girls.Conclusions Body composition was significantly associated with cardiometabolic risk factors, and fat stored in different regions has differential influences on cardiometabolic indicators. There were sex differences in the relationships between body composition and cardiometabolic indicators. The findings suggest that body composition is more strongly correlated with cardiometabolic indicators in boys than in girls. Prevention of obesity and cardiometabolic abnormalities may be more important in boys.All data relevant to the study are included in the article or uploaded as supplementary information.