Korean J Pediatr.  2005 Mar;48(3):276-283.

Correlation of Body Mass Index, Body Fat Distribution, Aminotranferases and Computed Tomography in Obese Children with Fatty Liver

• Park SE
• Yang HR
• Chang JY
• Ko JS
• Seo JK
• Lee W
• Kim WS

Abstract

PURPOSE
Visceral fat accumulation plays a major role in metabolic complications of obesity. It is known that nonalcoholic fatty liver in obese adults is associated with visceral fat accumulation. Body mass index(BMI) is used as the index of obesity in children. The aim of this study is to evaluate the correlation of BMI and visceral adipose tissue(VAT), and the correlation of BMI, body fat distribution, aminotransferases, and severity of fatty liver.
METHODS
Twenty three obese children with fatty liver diagnosed by non-contrast abdominal computed tomography(CT) were included in this study. Data on BMI, aminotransferase levels were collected from clinical records. Visceral adipose area was evaluated with CT.
RESULTS
BMI had a singnificant correlation with VAT(r=0.51719, P=0.0115). The severity of fatty liver had no significant correlations with BMI(r=-0.11938, P=0.5876), VAT(r=-0.31234, P=0.1468), aspartate aminotransferase(AST)(r=0.12729, P=0.5628) or alanine aminotransferase(ALT)(r=-0.00179, P= 0.9935).
CONCLUSION
BMI in obese children was correlated with VAT. But the severity of fatty liver cannot be assessed by BMI, VAT or aminotransferase levels.

Keyword

Obesity; Fatty liver; Body mass index; Fat distribution; Computed tomography

MeSH Terms

Adipose Tissue*
Adult
Alanine
Aspartic Acid
Body Fat Distribution*
Body Mass Index*
Child*
Fatty Liver*
Humans
Intra-Abdominal Fat
Obesity
Transaminases
Alanine
Aspartic Acid
Transaminases