Influence of Body Fat on Inflammatory Markers and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Female Adolescents

Abstract

Abstract The high body fat percentage incresed risk of cardiovascular and metabolic. To evaluate the influence of body fat on inflammatory markers and cardiometabolic risk factors in female adolescents. Cross-sectional study with 555 female adolescents, aged 10 to 19 years. The Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated. Body fat percentage was obtained by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) equipment. Were evaluated systolic and diastolic blood pressures, fasting glucose levels, insulin, lipid profile, uric acid, and inflammatory markers (Interleukin 6 - IL-6, Interleukin 10 - IL-10, high-sensitivity C Reactive Protein – hs-CRP, Tumor Necrosis Factor - TNF-α, Leptin, and Tumor Necrosis Factor - TNF-α). The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was performed to verify the distribution of the variables, and the Pearson and Spearman correlation tests were used according to the characteristics of the variables. Linear regression analyses were performed. A statistical significance level of 5% was adopted. Increased body fat in adolescent girls relates to increased values of blood pressure, lipid profile, insulin, uric acid, leptin and IL-6. The increasing one percent body fat increases uric acid by 1.22 mg/dL and leptin by 0.0005 pg/mL, suggesting that for these two markers, eutrophic adolescents with high percent body fat show similar behavior as obese adolescents (with high BMI and body fat). The highlight the need to assess body composition in adolescents to identify those with higher fat percentage, since, even with normal weight, they may present increased risk of developing cardiovascular and metabolic complications at this stage of life, which may be maintained or worsened in adulthood.