ABSTRACT
Objective@#To explore the relationship between the muscle mass index (MMI) and the aggregation of cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs) in children and adolescents, and to provide a scientific basis for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases in children and adolescents.@*Methods@#The current situation study design was adopted, and 1 622 children and adolescents aged 12-17 years old in Yinchuan City were selected by a cluster random sampling method. All subjects were subjected to questionnaire survey, physical examination, body composition determination and laboratory index testing.@*Results@#When other variables were not adjusted, MMI was a risk factor for the aggregation of cardiovascular risk factors ( P <0.01). After adjusting for age, gender and BMI, MMI became a protective factor for CVRFs≥1 ( OR =0.74, 95% CI =0.62-0.89), compared with insufficient MMI, the risk of developing CVRFs≥1 with good MMI and sufficient MMI was 0.60(95% CI =0.46-0.79), 0.56(95% CI =0.37- 0.85 ) times. The risk of CVRFs≥2 was 0.54(95% CI =0.37-0.79), 0.51(95% CI =0.30-0.87) times, and similar results were found in boys ( P <0.05). @*Conclusion@#Under the same BMI level, muscle mass index is a protective factor for cardiovascular risk factor aggregation in children and adolescents. Physical exercise of children and adolescents should be emphasized to maintain the best muscle mass and weight.