Why the study?
Most prior studies linked visceral and hepatic adiposity to diabetes risk in youth with obesity or impaired glucose tolerance, leaving gaps in early risk markers across a wider adiposity range.
Population
45 children (mean age 11.3±1 years; 62% female) across a range of adiposity
Comparison
Visceral adipose tissue volume, abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue volume, and liver fat percent
Design
Cross-sectional study
Key result
Greater visceral and subcutaneous adiposity in children was associated with lower insulin sensitivity (VAT: ρ=-0.60, p<0.0001; ASAT: ρ=-0.62, p<0.0001) and compensatory insulin secretion.
Authors
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Highlights potential early window before dysglycemia; cross-sectional data leave open causality and preventive targets.
Cross-Sectional (n=45)
Effect estimate: Spearman ρ=-0.60 for VAT and ISI
p-value: p=<0.0001
In pre-adolescent children, greater total adiposity is associated with reduced insulin sensitivity and compensatory increases in insulin secretion before the onset of dysglycemia.
Morgan et al. (2026) conducted a cross-sectional in Adiposity and emerging diabetes risk (n=45). Visceral, subcutaneous, and hepatic adiposity was evaluated on Whole-body insulin sensitivity index (ISI) and insulinogenic index (InsIndex30) (Spearman ρ=-0.60 for VAT and ISI, p=<0.0001). Greater visceral and subcutaneous adiposity in children was associated with lower insulin sensitivity (VAT: ρ=-0.60, p<0.0001; ASAT: ρ=-0.62, p<0.0001) and compensatory insulin secretion.