Acanthosis nigricans and truncal fat in overweight and obese children.

BACKGROUND

Screening for acanthosis nigricans (AcN) in overweight children is repeatedly recommended. The significance of AcN, and its relation to central obesity in children, is unclear.

OBJECTIVE

To compare clinical and anthropometric parameters associated with adiposity, between overweight and obese children with and without AcN.

METHODS

One hundred and forty-nine overweight and obese children were screened for AcN. Height, weight, waist and hip circumferences, triceps skinfold thickness and segmental body fat amounts were measured.

RESULTS

Twenty-two (14.8%) children had AcN. Children with AcN had greater height, weight, BMI, waist circumference, waist-to-height-ratio, triceps skinfold thickness, and total and truncal body fat percentage, compared to those without AcN. After adjustment for age and BMI, no adiposity measure was increased in children with AcN.

CONCLUSION

Overweight and obese children with AcN basically have greater overall and central adiposity, than those without it. Adjusting for BMI, there is no evidence for increased abdominal fat in these children.