Relationship between thigh intermuscular adipose tissue accumulation and number of metabolic syndrome risk factors in middle-aged and older Japanese adults

• Thigh intermuscular adipose tissue was related to number of metabolic syndrome risk factors.
• Intermuscular adipose tissue accumulation was related to number of metabolic syndrome risk factors.
• Intermuscular adipose tissue accumulation was related to waist circumference, HDL-C, and FG.

BackgroundTo evaluate the association between thigh intermuscular adipose tissue accumulation and number of metabolic syndrome risk factors in middle-aged and older Japanese adults.MethodsThigh muscle cross-sectional area, subcutaneous adipose tissue, thigh intermuscular adipose tissue, abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue, and visceral adipose tissue were measured in 166 middle-aged and older (mean age, 69 years) Japanese adults using magnetic resonance imaging. Daily physical activity was calculated using pedometers, and energy intake per day was evaluated using 3-day dietary records. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to assess the association between intermuscular adipose tissue and the number of metabolic syndrome risk factors.ResultsMultiple regression analysis indicated that intermuscular adipose tissue was significantly associated with the number of metabolic syndrome risk factors, after adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, daily physical activity, energy intake, thigh muscle cross-sectional area, and visceral adipose tissue (p < 0.05).ConclusionsThigh intermuscular adipose tissue accumulation was significantly associated with the number of metabolic syndrome risk factors in middle-aged and older Japanese adults, independent of age, sex, body mass index, daily physical activity, energy intake, thigh muscle cross-sectional area, and visceral adipose tissue.