(EA01-01-25) Visceral Adiposity at 15 Weeks Gestation: A Predictive Model Using Anthropometrics

Scientific conference where the work was recently presented: ObesityWeek 2024 (San Antonio, TX; The Obesity Society)

Date on which the work was previously presented at the scientific conference listed: November 3-6, 2024

Objectives: Prenatal visceral adiposity (VAT) is associated with a risk for gestational diabetes and preeclampsia. Yet, measuring prenatal VAT is challenging due to the cost of MRI, limitations to tissue compression with ultrasound, and contraindications for DXA. As such, anthropometric measures could be a substitute for VAT imaging. We developed predictive models for VAT in the 2nd trimester from anthropometrics, according to pre-pregnancy BMI.

Methods: Pregnant women (n=61) in the Mother and Infant NuTrition study (MINT, 2019-2024) had VAT assessed via whole-body MRI at 15 weeks gestation. Anthropometric measures included waist (WC), hip (HC), mid-upper arm (MUAC), calf (CC), and thigh (TC) circumference (cm). The Iliac crest, subscapular, thigh, and triceps skinfolds (SF) (mm) were also measured. Linear regression was used to assess predictors of VAT by pre-pregnancy BMI category, adjusting for covariates.

Results: Pre-pregnancy BMI (Mean±SD) was 25.03±3.98 kg/m2, and VAT at 15 weeks was 1.06±0.63 kg. In linear regression models, VAT was positively associated with BMI (b=0.09 kg/m2), all circumferences (WC b=0.04, MUAC b=0.10, HC b=0.04, CC b=0.06, TC b=0.05, cm) plus iliac crest (b=0.03), subscapular (b=0.04), and triceps SF (b=0.04) (mm, p< 0.04) but not thigh SF. In stepwise models, the model (R2=0.60) that best predicted VAT for people with healthy BMI (n=36) included iliac SF (b=0.02mm CI: 0.01,0.04), MUAC (b=0.11cm CI: 0.05,0.17) and being Hispanic (b=0.40 CI: 0.11,0.71). The model (R2=0.79) that best predicted VAT for people with overweight or obesity combined (n=25), included WC (b=0.04cm CI:0.01,0.07), MUAC (b=-0.20cm CI: -0.32,-0.08), HC (b=0.09cm CI: 0.03,0.15), subscapular SF (b=0.06mm CI: 0.02,0.11), iliac SF (b=-0.07mm CI: -0.12,-0.02), and having a college education (b=1.81 CI: 0.26,3.36).

Conclusions: Circumferences and most skinfold measures were positively associated with VAT in the 2nd trimester. Predictors of prenatal VAT further varied by pre-pregnancy BMI. Anthropometrics may be an accessible alternative for VAT imaging.

Funding Sources: NIH/NICHD R00HD086304