Sep 5, 2026
2:00 PM12:00 PM
ePoster display
PD660 - HIDDEN ADIPOSITY AND CENTRAL OBESITY IN NORMAL BMI INDIAN ADULTS: A HOSPITAL BASED BODY COMPOSITION CAMP AND IMPLICATIONS FOR METABOLIC AND NAFLD RISK
PD660
HIDDEN ADIPOSITY AND CENTRAL OBESITY IN NORMAL BMI INDIAN ADULTS: A HOSPITAL BASED BODY COMPOSITION CAMP AND IMPLICATIONS FOR METABOLIC AND NAFLD RISK
S. Venkatraman1,*, B. Elsa1
1Nutrition & dietetics, Trustwell Hospitals, Bangalore, India
Rationale: Non‑alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and metabolic syndrome often occur in Asian adults at normal body mass index (BMI), where central obesity and excess body fat are missed by BMI alone. We assessed hidden adiposity and central obesity in adults at a hospital body‑composition camp to identify unrecognised metabolic and NAFLD risk.
Methods: Adults (≥18 years) attending a free camp in a tertiary hospital in Bengaluru, India, underwent assessment. Height, weight, BMI and waist‑hip ratio (WHR; Asian cut‑offs) were measured. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) estimated percentage body fat (PBF), visceral fat, skeletal muscle mass and fat‑free mass. Demographics and comorbidities (diabetes, hypertension) were recorded. Hidden adiposity was evaluated only in normal‑BMI adults as normal BMI with elevated, sex‑specific PBF; central obesity as WHR above Asian cut‑offs.
Results:
In total, 159 adults (85 men, 74 women; mean age 41 years) were included. By Asian BMI categories, 58 (36%) were normal, 68 (43%) overweight and 23 (14%) obese. Among normal‑BMI adults, 33 of 58 (57%) had hidden adiposity. Central obesity by WHR was present in 112 of 159 participants (70%). Central obesity affected 35 of 58 (60%) with normal BMI, 52 of 68 (76%) overweight adults and all 23 (100%) obese adults.
Conclusion: Hidden adiposity and central obesity were common, including in normal‑BMI adults, indicating unrecognised metabolic and NAFLD risk beyond BMI alone. Simple BIA and WHR assessment may support earlier identification of high‑risk individuals and more targeted nutrition interventions.
Disclosure of Interest: None declared