Bioimpedance-Derived Metabolic Age Is Associated with an Unfavorable Lipid Profile but Not Fasting Glucose in Young Adults: A Multiethnic Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Bioimpedance-derived metabolic age (MA) may capture aspects of metabolic phenotype beyond chronological age, but its relationships with routine biochemical markers in young adults remain unclear. This cross-sectional study examined associations of MA with fasting glucose and lipid parameters in 345 adults aged 18–25 years from the Minahasa, Bolaang Mongondow, and Sangihe Talaud ethnic groups in North Sulawesi, Indonesia. MA was obtained using a Tanita RD-953 dual-frequency bioelectrical impedance monitor. Unadjusted associations were assessed using Spearman correlation with 10,000 bootstrap resamples, and separate multivariable linear regression models were adjusted for chronological age, sex, ethnicity, and physical activity. Higher MA was correlated with total cholesterol, LDL-C, and triglycerides, but not fasting glucose or HDL-C. After adjustment, each 1-year higher MA was associated with higher total cholesterol (B=0.999 mg/dL; 95% CI 0.464–1.534), LDL-C (B=0.816; 95% CI 0.372–1.260), and triglycerides (B=1.688; 95% CI 0.906–2.470), and lower HDL-C (B=−0.231; 95% CI −0.388 to −0.074), all p≤0.004. No association was observed with fasting glucose (B=−0.007; 95% CI −0.184 to 0.170; p=0.939). Sensitivity analyses supported the triglyceride and fasting-glucose findings. Higher BIA-derived MA was therefore associated with an unfavorable lipid pattern, but not fasting glucose, in young adults.