The mediating role of syndecan-4 in the negative association of healthy eating index with body mass index and android percent fat in premenopausal women.

Diet quality has been implicated in the development of abdominal obesity. Yet, the molecular components involved in this relationship remain largely unknown. This pilot study examined whether syndecan-4 (SDC4) may serve as a molecular link between diet quality and abdominal obesity. Serum SDC4 levels were measured in 41 women (aged 21-45) who self-identified as African American or European American. Diet quality was assessed using the healthy eating index (HEI) score derived from a food frequency questionnaire, while android percent fat was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Regression and mediation analyses were performed to examine the data. Significant ( < 0.05) negative correlations were observed between HEI scores and both body mass index (BMI) and android percent fat. SDC4 emerged as a significant predictor of HEI and mediated the negative associations of HEI with BMI and android percent fat, independent of race and age. Our findings suggest that SDC4 may play a key mechanistic role in linking adherence to dietary recommendations with reductions in android adiposity.