Defining Central Adiposity in Terms of Clinical Practice in Children and Adolescents

Abstract

The global increase of overweight and obesity in childhood and adolescence requires intensified efforts for early detection and prevention. Increased central (abdominal) adiposity has a special importance because of increased risk of cardio-metabolic diseases.  [2]. Waist circumference (WC) is the best simple index of fat distribution, since it was least affected by gender, race, and overall adiposity [3]. WC correlates with intra-abdominal and subcutaneous fat measured by magnetic resonance imaging in youths [4]. Increased WC is one of the five diagnostic items of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) which is essential for the definition of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) in terms of increased WC plus 2 out of the followings; elevated fasting plasma glucose, hypertension, elevated triglycerides and low HDL-C [5].