Body composition markers from classic anthropometry, bioelectrical impedance analysis, and magnetic resonance imaging are associated with inflammatory markers in the general population

Background and aim: The associations of body composition markers derived from different modalities with inflammatory markers are unclear. The aim of this study was to determine associations of the body composition markers from different modalities with inflammatory markers in a population-based study. Methods and results: We analyzed data from 4048 participants (2081 women, 51.4%) aged 20-84 years. Linear regression models adjusted for confounding were used to analyze the association of classic anthropometry markers, absolute and relative fat mass, absolute fat-free mass (FFM), and body cell mass (BCM) assessed by bioelectrical impedance analysis, subcutaneous, visceral, and liver fat from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), with markers of inflammation. We found positive associations of classic anthropometry markers, total body fat, subcutaneous, visceral, and liver fat, with all inflammatory markers. Waist circumference (WC) showed the strongest association with high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) (b: 1.39; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.22 to 1.56) and white blood cell (WBC) (0.39; 0.29 to 0.48), whereas visceral fat showed the strongest association with ferritin (41.9; 34.7 to 49.0). Relative body fat was strongly associated with hsCRP (1.39; 1.20 to 1.58), fibrinogen (0.29; 0.27 to 0.32), and WBC (0.35; 0.25 to 0.46). Conversely, we found inverse associations of body height, FFM, and BCM with hsCRP, fibrinogen, and WBC. Conclusions: Our study indicates the importance of WC as an easily measured marker for early inflammation. MRI-assessed markers of central obesity seem to be most strongly related to ferritin. (c) 2023 The Italian Diabetes Society, the Italian Society for the Study of Atherosclerosis, the Italian Society of Human Nutrition and the Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Federico II University. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study examined the associations of body composition markers derived from different modalities with inflammatory markers. The results showed positive associations between classic anthropometry markers, total body fat, subcutaneous and visceral fat, and liver fat with all inflammatory markers. Waist circumference showed the strongest association with high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and white blood cell counts, while visceral fat was strongly associated with ferritin. Relative body fat was strongly associated with several inflammatory markers, while body height, fat-free mass, and body cell mass showed inverse associations. These findings highlight the importance of waist circumference as an easily measured marker for early inflammation and the relevance of MRI-assessed markers of central obesity for ferritin levels.