Age-specific and sex-specific associations of visceral adipose tissue with metabolic health status and cardiovascular disease risk.

BACKGROUND

Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) is known to play a role in the development of metabolic and cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, the age- and sex-specific associations between VAT and these diseases remain unclear.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, 1,150 participants (39.5% women; mean age 61.5 years) underwent VAT measurement using dual abdominal bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). The four age groups that the participants were divided into were 18-44, 45-59, 60-74, and ≥ 75 years. The relationships between VAT and cardiometabolic outcomes were analyzed by age and sex using multivariable logistic regression.

RESULTS

Significant associations between VAT and metabolic health status were observed in middle-aged (45-59 years; OR = 1.41, 95% CI: 1.04-1.92) and elderly adults (60-74 years; OR = 1.45, 95% CI: 1.10-1.92). VAT demonstrated age-dependent relationships with cardiovascular risk factors, with the strongest associations found in the 60-74 years group for hypertension (OR: 1.55, 95% CI: 1.22-1.98) and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (OR: 1.66, 95% CI: 1.33-2.08). Notably, the VAT-CVD association was most pronounced in elderly women (60-74 years; OR: 1.86, 95% CI: 1.14-3.11), while no significant associations were observed in men across all age groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The impact of VAT on metabolic and cardiovascular disease risk varies by age and sex, with particularly strong associations observed in elderly women. This highlights the need for tailored prevention and treatment strategies.