Quantitative characteristics and distribution of fat deposition in a group of men and women: characteristics of the diet, the level of physical activity and the FTO genotype

Abstract

Background: The Russian Federation is among the top ten countries in terms of obesity prevalence among adults. Aim: identification of endogenous (biological sex, age and FTO genotype) and exogenous (diet and physical activity level) factors affected body fat accumulation and topography in the group of women and men from Moscow. Methods: 464 volunteers (231 women and 233 men) aged 18 to 60 years from Moscow participated in the single-center, cross-sectional, observational study. A program included measuring body height and weight, body and limb girths, as well as caliperometry, bioimpedance analysis and questionnaires. Indices of body fat distribution were calculated. Differences in the genotype (rs9939609 TA variant in FTO gene) was also determined. Results: In both men and women, a long-term (at least three years) adherence to a vegetarian diet leads to a decrease in fat and fat free mass, and did not affect the of abdominal fat accumulation. Regular physical activity has the most pronounced effect on abdominal fat of both men and women. At the same time, amateur and professional sports activities of at least 180 minutes per week have a positive effect on reducing the amount of total body fat. In women and men, no association between FTO rs9939609 and fat accumulation and topography regardless of diet and physical activity level was found. Conclusion: In female and male adults from Moscow, the most effective total and abdominal fat loss strategy was associated with vegetarian diet and regular physical activity.