This study investigated the distribution of body fat in obese children as well as the relationship of fat distribution to risk factors for chronic diseases.
　In 151 children with moderate to severe simple obesity (mean age 9.8 years, obesity index 45.8 %) CT imaging at umbilical level was performed, then the areas of subcutaneous fat and visceral fat were calculated. The ratio of the area of visceral fat to that of subcutaneous fat was designated as the V/S ratio. Blood was collected in the fasting state early in the morning, and lipid metabolism parameters such as TG, FFA, T-Cho, LDL-C, HDL-C and VLDL, liver function indices such as GOT, GPT and cholinesterase, and hormones associated with fat accumulation or degradation such as IRI, GH and cortisol were determined.
　The mean areas of subcutaneous fat and visceral fat were 203.1 cm² and 42.6 cm², respectively, showing a V/S ratio of 0.21. Many risk factors for chronic diseases were correlated with subcutaneous fat, but correlations with visceral fat were weak. However, GOT, GPT, Apo A1, Apo A2 and cholinesterase showed stronger correlations with visceral fat. The V/S ratio was correlated solely with cholinesterase.
　Obese children demonstrated the subcutaneous fat type of obesity even in cases of severe obesity. In adults, the risk for chronic diseases becomes higher with accumulation of visceral fat, while in children, the absolute amount of visceral fat is smaller, and therefore, subcutaneous fat showed a tendency toward closer association with risk factors for chronic diseases. However, some children demonstrated an absolute amount of visceral fat of more than 100 cm². In such children, early weight-reduction measures are required.

DESCENTE SPORTS SCIENCE Vol.20/THE DESCENTE AND ISHIMOTO MEMORIAL FOUNDATION FOR THE PROMOTION SPORTS SCIENCE