Ectopic Fat distribution and adverse muscle composition in South Asians: Findings from the UK biobank.

ABSTRACT:

Background

South Asians (SA) have higher risk of cardiometabolic disease compared to other ethnicities. However, detailed analyses of body compositional profile (BCP) in large cohorts with inclusion of ectopic fat depots and muscle composition is lacking.

Methods

Using MRI data from UK biobank, we compared body compositional data in South Asians (n = 397) relative to age, sex, height, and weight-matched white Europeans (EUR) (matched 5:1 to SA group). We also compared BCP in 66 SAs with type 2 diabetes (T2D) versus matched EUR (matched 3:1 to SA group).

Results

SAs had higher overall levels of fat compared to EUR (mean difference in: visceral adipose tissue 0·20 L; subcutaneous adipose tissue 0·93 L; liver fat 0·92 pp; muscle fat infiltration (MFI) 0·59 pp, all

SUBMITTER: Tejani S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12746269 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature