TY - JOUR
T1 - Distinct body fat distribution and its association with metabolic syndrome in Tibetan population
AU - Yuan, Lin
AU - Wang, Haijing
AU - Huang, Qingxia
AU - Li, Tiemei
AU - Zhang, Bin
AU - Tang, Huiru
AU - Wang, Youfa
AU - Peng, Wen
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2025.
PY - 2026/12
Y1 - 2026/12
N2 - Objective: To characterize the specific pattern of body fat distribution and its association with metabolic syndrome (MetS) among Tibetan adults, an understudied population with distinct high-altitude adaptations, and to identify potential mediating biomarkers in serum lipoprotein profiles. Methods: A total of 1480 participants from the Tibetan cohort and the NHANES were included. Principal component analysis and Mantel tests were employed to identify Tibetan-specific body fat indicators. Linear models assessed associations with metabolic syndrome (MetS), and mediation analyses evaluated the indirect effects of serum lipoproteins. Results: Tibetans showed distinct trunk and total fat mass compared to other ethnic/racial groups. Trunk fat percentage was identified as a risk factor for MetS (OR = 1.59, 95% CI: 1.27 ~ 1.91, p = 0.004). The triglycerides to total lipids ratio in low density lipoprotein 3 (L3TGP) and triglycerides to high density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (TGHCR) exhibited significant mediating effect between trunk fat percentage and MetS (L3TGP:β = 1.7 × 10− 4g, 95% CI: 4 × 10− 5~3.6 × 10− 4, p<0.001;TGHCR: β = 1.8 × 10− 4g, 95% CI: 4 × 10− 5~4.6 × 10− 4, p<0.001). Conclusions: This study revealed novel evidence for distinct fat distribution in Tibetans, linked to elevated MetS risk. L3TGp and TGHCR were identified as key lipoprotein mediators, supporting the need for environmental- and ethnicity-specific indicators in metabolic risk assessment.
AB - Objective: To characterize the specific pattern of body fat distribution and its association with metabolic syndrome (MetS) among Tibetan adults, an understudied population with distinct high-altitude adaptations, and to identify potential mediating biomarkers in serum lipoprotein profiles. Methods: A total of 1480 participants from the Tibetan cohort and the NHANES were included. Principal component analysis and Mantel tests were employed to identify Tibetan-specific body fat indicators. Linear models assessed associations with metabolic syndrome (MetS), and mediation analyses evaluated the indirect effects of serum lipoproteins. Results: Tibetans showed distinct trunk and total fat mass compared to other ethnic/racial groups. Trunk fat percentage was identified as a risk factor for MetS (OR = 1.59, 95% CI: 1.27 ~ 1.91, p = 0.004). The triglycerides to total lipids ratio in low density lipoprotein 3 (L3TGP) and triglycerides to high density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (TGHCR) exhibited significant mediating effect between trunk fat percentage and MetS (L3TGP:β = 1.7 × 10− 4g, 95% CI: 4 × 10− 5~3.6 × 10− 4, p<0.001;TGHCR: β = 1.8 × 10− 4g, 95% CI: 4 × 10− 5~4.6 × 10− 4, p<0.001). Conclusions: This study revealed novel evidence for distinct fat distribution in Tibetans, linked to elevated MetS risk. L3TGp and TGHCR were identified as key lipoprotein mediators, supporting the need for environmental- and ethnicity-specific indicators in metabolic risk assessment.
KW - Body fat composition
KW - Lipoproteins
KW - Mediation analysis
KW - Metabolic syndrome
KW - Metabolome
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105026377576
U2 - 10.1186/s12944-025-02808-y
DO - 10.1186/s12944-025-02808-y
M3 - 文章
C2 - 41275179
AN - SCOPUS:105026377576
SN - 1476-511X
VL - 25
JO - Lipids in Health and Disease
JF - Lipids in Health and Disease
IS - 1
M1 - 2
ER -
