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Neck adipose tissue accumulation is associated with higher overall and central adiposity, a higher cardiometabolic risk, and a pro-inflammatory profile in young adults.

PROFITH "PRO-moting FITness and Health Through Physical Activity" Research Group, Department of Physical and Sports Education, Sport and Health University Research Institute (iMUDS), Faculty of Sports Science, University of Granada, Granada, Spain. Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Independence, 1027, Santiago, Chile. PROFITH "PRO-moting FITness and Health Through Physical Activity" Research Group, Department of Physical and Sports Education, Sport and Health University Research Institute (iMUDS), Faculty of Sports Science, University of Granada, Granada, Spain. acostaf@ugr.es. Servicio de Medicina Nuclear, Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves, Granada, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs. GRANADA), Servicio de Medicina Nuclear, Granada, Spain. Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, and Einthoven Laboratory for Experimental Vascular Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands. Exercise and Health Laboratory, CIPER, Faculdade Motricidade Humana, Universidade de Lisboa, Estrada da Costa, 1495-688, Cruz Quebrada, Portugal. U.G.C. Física y Protección Radiológica, Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves, Granada, Spain. Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs. GRANADA), U.G.C. Física y Protección Radiológica, Granada, Spain.

International journal of obesity (2005). 2021;(4):733-745
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Abstract

OBJECTIVES Neck adipose tissue (NAT) volume increases with general adiposity, with fat accumulating in different neck tissue compartments. In patients with certain malignant/benign tumours, the accumulation of NAT, and certain NAT distributions, have been associated with cardiometabolic risk (CMR). However, it is unknown whether the same relationships exist in healthy people, and whether NAT accumulation and distribution are related to the inflammatory status. METHODS In this cross-sectional study, 139 young healthy adults (68% women) underwent a computed tomography scan to quantify the volume of compartmental (i.e., subcutaneous, intermuscular and perivertebral) and total NAT at the height of vertebra C5. Anthropometric indicators were measured, and body composition determined using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Information on CMR factors (i.e., blood glycaemic and lipid markers, blood pressure and physical fitness) was also gathered, and a CMR score calculated. Several plasma cytokines and serum components of the innate immune system were measured to determine the inflammatory status. RESULTS Compartmental and total NAT volumes were directly related to body mass index (BMI), and lean, fat, and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) masses (all, P ≤ 0.05). Larger compartmental (especially intermuscular) and total NAT volumes were directly associated with the CMR score, several CMR factors (i.e., glycaemic and lipid markers and blood pressure), and the C3, C4 and leptin concentrations. They were, however, inversely correlated with the CMR factors high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) and physical fitness, and with the adiponectin concentration (all P ≤ 0.05). Several of these associations remained statistically significant (P ≤ 0.05) after adjustment for BMI, body fat percentage or VAT mass. Overall, results did not change after applying false discovery rate correction. CONCLUSIONS NAT volume and its distribution among different tissue compartments is associated with the CMR and inflammatory profile of young healthy adults. Total NAT volume appears to be as valuable as VAT mass in terms of predicting CMR and inflammatory status.