Child Health and Natural Growth Evaluation Study (CHANGES)
Visceral fat is the body fat that builds up inside the abdominal cavity. Subcutaneous fat is fat that builds up just under the skin in the abdomen and in extremities (arms and legs). We know very little about how, why, and when children develop visceral versus subcutaneous fat, but this might be important to know because there are different possible health risks associated with different fat distribution.
Funded by the National Institutes of Health, the Child Health and Natural Growth Evaluation Study (CHANGES) is a prospective study among a sample of healthy children that examines the growth of total body fat, muscle mass, visceral fat, and subcutaneous fat. This study also seeks to determine the hormonal and behavioral factors that affect the growth of lean and fat mass. Children from ages 8 to 10 visit CCHMC every 6 months and get measurements done on weight, height, total body fat (measured by DXA) and fat distribution (measured by MRI), and weight-related behaviors (eating by diet diary, physical activity by accelerometry). The information obtained from CHANGES will help us design interventions that target reducing or preventing the accumulation of unneeded body fat in children.
CHANGES benefits from the support of the CCHMC General Clinical Research Center and its excellent nursing staff.
