Tsabita Ayudia, Nurfitri Bustamam, Yanti Harjono Hadiwiardjo, Diana Agustini Purwaningastuti

Association between muscle-to-visceral fat ratio and vascular elasticity in medical students

Introduction

Association between muscle-to-visceral fat ratio and vascular elasticity in medical students . Discover the link between muscle-to-visceral fat ratio & vascular elasticity in medical students. A low MVF ratio significantly increases cardiovascular disease risk, underscoring wellness interventions.

Abstract

Background: Medical students often adopt lifestyles that contribute to decreased muscle mass and increased visceral fat accumulation, which can negatively impact vascular elasticity, a biomarker for the early detection of cardiovascular disease. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the association between the muscle mass to visceral fat ratio and vascular elasticity in medical students at Universitas Pembangunan Nasional Veteran Jakarta (UPNVJ). Methods: A cross-sectional design was conducted from November 2023 to January 2024 at UPNVJ. The sample consisted of 51 subjects who met the research criteria. The muscle-to-visceral fat (MVF) ratio was measured using Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA), while vascular elasticity was assessed using the Accelerated Photo plethysmograph Analyzer SA-3000P. Results: The results revealed that 68.6% of the subjects had the lowest MVF ratio and 54.9% exhibited sub-optimal vascular elasticity. No differences were found in age, gender, physical activity, or eating habits between the vascular elasticity groups (p > 0.05). The Chi-square test revealed a significant association between the MVF ratio and vascular elasticity (p = 0.009; OR = 6.545; 95% CI = 1.7–24.9). Conclusion: Students with the lowest MVF ratio were found to be 6.54 times more likely to have sub-optimal vascular elasticity, compared to those with low and high MVF ratios, indicating an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. These findings underscore the importance of early preventive intervention aimed at optimizing body composition through targeted wellness programs. The implementation of nutritional education and structured physical activity initiatives, particularly in young adults, may play a critical role in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Review

This study addresses a timely and relevant issue concerning the cardiovascular health of young adults, specifically medical students, a population often exposed to stress and sedentary lifestyles. The objective to investigate the association between the muscle-to-visceral fat (MVF) ratio and vascular elasticity is clear and directly tackles a potential early risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The finding of a significant association, where a lower MVF ratio is linked to sub-optimal vascular elasticity, highlights the critical importance of body composition in young adults and offers valuable insights for early preventive strategies. The conclusion, emphasizing the increased likelihood of sub-optimal vascular elasticity in students with the lowest MVF ratio, provides a strong rationale for targeted interventions. The methodology employs appropriate non-invasive techniques for assessing both the MVF ratio (Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis) and vascular elasticity (Accelerated Photo plethysmograph Analyzer). The cross-sectional design is clearly stated, and the statistical analysis, including the Chi-square test, odds ratio, and 95% confidence intervals, is suitable for evaluating associations within this design. However, a significant limitation is the relatively small sample size (n=51), which may affect the statistical power and generalizability of the findings, particularly the precision of the reported odds ratio. While the study effectively identifies an association, its cross-sectional nature, as acknowledged by the authors, inherently precludes drawing conclusions about causality. Further detail on the categorization of MVF ratios (e.g., how "lowest" was defined relative to "low and high") would also enhance the clarity of the results presentation. Despite the limitations, this study provides compelling preliminary evidence underscoring the importance of optimizing body composition, particularly the MVF ratio, in young adults to maintain vascular health. The suggested interventions, such as nutritional education and structured physical activity, are well-founded and practical for implementation in university settings. For future research, a larger cohort and a longitudinal design would be invaluable to confirm the direction of the association and track the progression of vascular changes over time. Overall, this paper offers a significant contribution to understanding early cardiovascular risk factors in a vulnerable population and warrants dissemination to encourage further investigation and public health initiatives.

Full Text

Comments

You need to be logged in to post a comment.