Indices of adipose tissue distribution, apolipoproteins B and AI, lipoprotein (a), and triglyceride concentration in children aged 4-11 years: The Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

This study examined the association of body fat distribution with serum apo lipoproteins, lipoprotein (a), and triglyceride, risk factors for cardiovas cular morbidity, in a representative sample of U.S. black, white, and Hispa nic children. Data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey for children aged 4-11 years revealed the mean waist-to-hip ratio ( WHR) varied consistently with age, gender, and ethnic group. Levels were hi ghest in Mexican Americans. WHR showed significant negative associations wi th apo AI concentration and positive associations with apo B and the ratio of apo B to apo AI independent of age but not body mass index (BMI). Associ ations of WHR with serum triglyceride concentration were independent of age and BMI. Other indices of body fat distribution were not superior to WHR. Lp (a) was not consistently associated with WHR. In conclusion, after contr olling for BMI and age, body fat distribution was not significantly associa ted with apo AI and apo B with few exceptions. Nor was Lp (a) significantly associated with body fat distribution. Casual serum triglyceride levels we re significantly positively associated with WHR independent of age and BMI in non-Hispanic white and Mexican American children. (C) 2001 Elsevier Scie nce Inc. All rights reserved.