The relationship between perceived sense of control and visceral adipose tissue - the North Texas Healthy Heart Study
2011

Sense of Control and Visceral Fat

Sample size: 506 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Roberto Cardarelli, Sandy-Asari Hogan, Kimberly G Fulda, Joan Carroll

Primary Institution: University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth

Hypothesis

What is the relationship between perceived sense of control and visceral adipose tissue?

Conclusion

An increased sense of control is associated with lower levels of visceral adipose tissue.

Supporting Evidence

  • An increase in sense of control was associated with a decrease in lnVAT in both unadjusted and adjusted models.
  • The study included a diverse sample of participants from various racial and ethnic backgrounds.
  • Participants were asymptomatic for coronary heart disease, ensuring a focus on the relationship between sense of control and visceral fat.

Takeaway

Feeling like you have control over your life can help you have less belly fat.

Methodology

This cross-sectional study involved 571 participants aged 45 and older who completed questionnaires and underwent CT scans to measure visceral adipose tissue.

Potential Biases

The study may not generalize to populations outside North Texas, and the sense of control measure was not specific to health.

Limitations

The study's cross-sectional design limits causal inferences, and the measures for diet and physical activity may not fully capture participants' behaviors.

Participant Demographics

Participants were primarily non-Hispanic white, non-Hispanic African American, and Hispanic, with a majority being female and having some college education.

Statistical Information

P-Value

0.03

Statistical Significance

p < 0.001

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1751-0759-5-12

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