High Body Fat in Normal Weight Girls Was Related to Inflammatory Markers and Cardiometabolic Risk

AIM: The aim was to evaluate the relationship between body fat (BF) in girls and inflammatory markers and cardiometabolic risk factors. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of 555 girls aged 10-19 years. They were divided into three body mass index (BMI) and BF groups: normal BMI/BF, normal BMI/high BF, and overweight or obesity, using the WHO definition. BF was assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, considering 25% as a cut-off for high BF. We also evaluated systolic and diastolic blood pressures, lipid profile, fasting glucose, insulin, uric acid levels and inflammatory markers. RESULTS: Excess BF was positively correlated with higher levels of blood pressure (r = 0.323), triglycerides (r = 0.146), uric acid (r = 0.358), leptin (r = 0.712), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (r = 0.336), insulin (r = 0.258) and markers of insulin resistance (r = 0.265, r = 0.159). It was negatively correlated with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (r = -0.222). In girls with a normal body mass index, excess BF was correlated with an unfavourable lipid profile and the presence of subclinical inflammation; these were similar to those observed in the girls with obesity. CONCLUSION: High BF in normal weight girls was related to inflammatory markers and cardiometabolic risk. These assessments are important because inflammation and cardiometabolic risk parameters persist or worsen from adolescence to adulthood.