Body fat distribution in stunted compared with normal-height children from the shantytowns of São Paulo, Brazil.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to determine whether central fat distribution varies between children who were growth retarded as young children and normal-height children from the same impoverished communities of São Paulo, Brazil.


METHODS
A prospective study of 50 stunted and normal-height children in São Paulo, Brazil was conducted in which children were measured for changes in fat mass (FM) and fat distribution (using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and anthropometry) and Tanner stage over a 4-y period. Statistical analyses included multiple linear regression to control for confounding factors and Student's t test was used to estimate group differences.


RESULTS
At follow-up, stunted children were shorter, weighed less, and had less total FM compared with control children. There were no differences between the two groups with respect to percent FM or percent truncal FM (%TrFM). Linear regression analyses were used to determine that stunted children had 1) increased TrFM (independent of FM); 2) increased %TrFM (independent of FM, gender, and Tanner stage), and 3) a borderline significantly greater change in TrFM (independent of FM, gender, and Tanner stage).


CONCLUSIONS
Stunted children are more likely to deposit fat centrally when entering puberty, a significant risk factor for chronic diseases. Our results may explain part of the association between early growth retardation and later risk for metabolic diseases.
Department of Nutritional Sciences, Rutgers, State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA. dhoffman@aesop.rutgers.edu
Daniel J
DJ
Hoffman
Paula A
PA
Martins
Susan B
SB
Roberts
Ana Lydia
AL
Sawaya
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000378:metabolism; D000293:Adolescent; D001823:Body Composition / Q000502:physiology*; D001827:Body Height / Q000502:physiology*; D001938:Brazil; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D050152:Intra-Abdominal Fat / Q000378:metabolism*; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control; D011203:Poverty; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors