Open AccessImpact of brown adipose tissue vascular density on body adiposity in healthy Japanese infants and children
Author(s) -
Kuroiwa Miyuki,
HamaokaFuse Sayuri,
Amagasa Shiho,
Kime Ryotaro,
Endo Tasuki,
Tanaka Riki,
Kurosawa Yuko,
Hamaoka Takafumi
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
obesity science and practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.654
H-Index - 14
ISSN - 2055-2238
DOI - 10.1002/osp4.559
Subject(s) - medicine , body mass index , obesity , adipose tissue , brown adipose tissue , endocrinology
Abstract Background and Objective The importance of brown adipose tissue (BAT) is well recognized in healthy infants and children. However, information regarding age‐related changes in BAT vascular density (BAT‐d) and the impact of BAT‐d on body adiposity are lacking. This study aimed to evaluate the normal values of BAT‐d, factors influencing BAT‐d, and the impact of BAT‐d on body adiposity in healthy infants and children. Methods This study included 240 participants (127 girls and 113 boys) aged 1 month to 5 years. The tissue total hemoglobin concentration in the supraclavicular region adjusted according to the subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness (SAT) ([total‐Hb‐Adj] sup ) as BAT‐d. SAT in the deltoid and interscapular regions (SAT del+int ), the Kaup index (body weight [g]/height or length [cm]/height or length [cm] × 10) as body adiposity, and fertilization season were also measured. Results The [total‐Hb‐Adj] sup of boys was higher than that of girls ( r = 0.277, p = 0.009). Younger children had a significantly higher Kaup index ( r = 0.495, p < 0.001) and SAT del+int ( r = 0.614, p < 0.001) than older children. Children who had higher [total‐Hb‐Adj] sup had a significantly lower Kaup index ( r = 0.495, p = 0.037) and SAT del+int ( r = 0.614, p < 0.001). Conclusion The [total‐Hb‐Adj] sup , as a parameter of BAT‐d, is negatively correlated with body adiposity in children aged 1 month to 5 years, and BAT might affect human obesity to a much greater extent than expected. To prevent or treat obesity in early childhood, the level of BAT‐d should be considered when using a dietary intervention.