Higher Muscle Mass Percentage is Associated with Lower Visceral Fat Rating in Overweight and Obese Women in Jakarta

• Published in: Annals of nutrition and metabolism 2019-01, Vol.75, p.84
• Main Authors: Pinontoan, Rosnah, Sugianto, Ray, Titus, Johana
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Arm; Arm circumference; Bioelectricity; Body composition; Body fat; Body mass index; Body weight; Cardiovascular disease; Cardiovascular diseases; Metabolic disorders; Muscle function; Muscles; Nutrition; Obesity; Oils & fats; Overweight; Project management; Reduction; Regression analysis; Risk analysis; Risk factors; Urban populations; Womens health
• ISSN: 0250-6807; 1421-9697
• DOI: 10.1159/000501751

Background/Aims: High visceral fat level is known to be an independent risk factor for cardiovascular and metabolic diseases among women with overweight/obesity. Increasing muscle mass has been recommended to improve visceral fat levels. However, the extent of the relationship between muscle mass and visceral fat has not been studied in Jakarta. Our objective is conducting a cross-sectional pilot study as a part of the ongoing obesity management in urban population project. Methods: Forty-seven women with overweight/obesity were recruited during community outreach of Sumber Waras Hospital, Jakarta, in 2017. Height, weight, upper arm circumference (UAC), as well as visceral fat rating and muscle mass percentage by bioelectrical impedance analysis (Tanita SC-330) were measured. Linear regression analysis was performed with Stata version 15. Results: Participants median BMI was 27.5 kg/m2 (IQR = 25.1–31.0 kg/m2), with median age of 46 years (IQR = 39–56 years). Increase of muscle mass percentage by 5% related to a reduction of visceral fat rating by 1.49 (95% CI = 1.10–1.88). After entering age and UAC variables in the model, the relationship become slightly stronger, with reduction of visceral fat rating by 1.82 (95%CI = 1.60–2.04). Adjusted R-squared of final model was 0.93. We found further evidence to support increasing muscle mass of women with overweight/obesity, as this might lead to reductions of visceral fat levels. This study also highlights the importance of body composition measurements in determination of muscle mass and visceral fat. Conclusion: We acknowledge the limitation of this cross-sectional study; and suggest prospective trials that tracks muscle mass and visceral fat levels be conducted in the future.