Researchers at the Siberian State Medical University have developed a method to gauge visceral fat levels in normally weighted children and assess their risk of becoming overweight by examining blood biochemistry and a range of related indicators. This finding was shared with socialbites.ca through the press service of the Sociocenter FGANU.
The buildup of fat inside organs can alter numerous personal health markers. Among these changes are shifts in fatty acid levels and key biochemical parameters. Variations in certain values may signal a future risk for obesity-related conditions that often do not appear during adolescence. The project’s lead, Ekaterina Trifonova, explained to socialbites.ca that identifying these changes early gives doctors a better chance to prevent their progression.
In a study involving 1,750 schoolchildren, researchers examined the gut microbiome and the composition of blood fatty acids, alongside body composition analysis and physical exams that could reveal early signs of potential complications and reduced quality of life. Measured outcomes included heart rate, blood pressure, waist and hip measurements, blood glucose and cholesterol levels, and responses to psychological assessments. The next phase will integrate the results into FatPredict software to train a neural network model. This software, already developed at the Siberian State Medical University, supports pediatric obesity diagnosis.
Trifonova cited WHO estimates indicating a substantial global burden: tens of millions of children under five and hundreds of millions of youths aged 5 to 19 face obesity, elevating risks for cancers, diabetes, kidney disease, and heart failure later in life. The study highlights how early biomarker changes can inform prevention and intervention strategies before overt obesity develops.
The project is advancing under the Priority 2030 program, an initiative of the Ministry of Education and Science in Russia, aimed at accelerating scientific advances and their practical application in public health.