Cardiorespiratory fitness is associated with lower abdominal fat independent of body mass index.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether, for a given body mass index (BMI), men with high cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) have lower waist circumference (WC) and less total abdominal, abdominal subcutaneous, and visceral adipose tissue (AT) compared with men with low CRF.


METHODS
Subjects were categorized into HIGH CRF (N = 169) and LOW CRF (N = 124) groups based on age and CRF measured using a maximal treadmill test. Total abdominal, abdominal subcutaneous and visceral AT were measured by computerized tomography.


RESULTS
For a given BMI, men in the HIGH CRF group had significantly lower WC (P < 0.001), total abdominal (P < 0.001), visceral AT (P < 0.001), and abdominal subcutaneous AT (P < 0.001) compared with men in the LOW CRF group.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that the ability of CRF to attenuate the health risks associated with BMI may be partially mediated through a reduction in abdominal AT. Accordingly, our observations reinforce the importance of regular physical activity in the prevention and reduction of obesity-related health risk independent of a corresponding reduction in body weight.
Wong
Suzy L
SL
School of Physical and Health Education, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada K7L 3N6.
Katzmarzyk
PeterT
P
Nichaman
Milton Z
MZ
Church
Timothy S
TS
Blair
Steven N
SN
Ross
Robert
R
D000005:Abdomen / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology*; D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D001823:Body Composition; D015992:Body Mass Index; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*