Association of Lifestyle Factors with Abdominal Subcutaneous and Visceral Adiposity: The Framingham Heart Study
- Esther A. Molenaar, MSc1,
- Joseph M. Massaro, PhD1,
- Paul F. Jacques, PhD1,
- Karla M Pou, MD1,
- R. Curtis Ellison, MD1,
- Udo Hoffmann, MD MPH1,
- Karol Pencina1,
- Steven D. Shadwick1,
- Ramachandran S. Vasan, MD1,
- Christopher J. O'Donnell, MD MPH1 and
- Caroline S. Fox, MD MPH (foxca{at}nhlbi.nih.gov)1
- 1From the Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care (EAM), University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Municipal Health Service Utrecht (EAM), Utrecht, The Netherlands; National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute's Framingham Heart Study (CSF, RSV, COD, SDS), Framingham, MA; Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, Department of Medicine (CSF, KMP), Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health (JMM, KP), Boston, MA; U.S. Department of Agriculture Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging (PFJ), Tufts University, Boston, MA; Boston University School of Medicine (RCE), Boston, MA; MGH Cardiac MR PET CT Program (UH) and the Department of Medicine (COD), Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; Department of Cardiology & Preventive Medicine (RSV), Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA
Abstract
Objective To assess the relationship between lifestyle factors and abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) in a community-based setting.
Research design and methods Cross-sectional associations between lifestyle factors (dietary quality, physical activity, smoking and alcohol consumption) and SAT and VAT volumes were examined in 2926 Framingham Heart Study participants (48.6% women, age 50±10 years).
Results Diet consistent with the 2005 Dietary Guidelines Adherence Index and greater physical activity were inversely associated with SAT and VAT (p-value<0.0001 to 0.002). In men, former smoking was associated with higher SAT (2743±56 cm3) as compared to current (2629±88 cm3) or never smokers (2538±44 cm3; p=0.02). Both former and current smoking was associated with higher VAT (p=0.03 [women]; p=0.005 [men]). Women with high amounts of alcohol intake (>7 drinks/week) had lower SAT (2869±106 cm3) than those who consumed less (3184±44 cm3, p=0.006); significant differences in VAT were not observed (p=0.18). In men, high amounts of alcohol intake (>14 drinks/week) were associated with higher VAT (2272±59 cm3) compared to ≤14 drinks/week (2139±25 cm3, p=0.04), whereas SAT did not differ (p=0.91). An increasing number of healthy lifestyle factors was associated with lower SAT and VAT volumes (all p-values<0.003).
Conclusion Adherence to recommended dietary guidelines and physical activity are associated with lower SAT and VAT volumes. However, both smoking and high alcohol intake are differentially associated with VAT volumes. Further research to uncover the putative mechanisms is warranted.
Footnotes
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- Received July 25, 2008.
- Accepted December 4, 2008.
- Copyright © American Diabetes Association
