Restricted accessResearch articleFirst published online 2026-1
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
Background: Diet quality has been implicated in the development of abdominal obesity. Yet, the molecular components involved in this relationship remain largely unknown. Aim: This pilot study examined whether syndecan-4 (SDC4) may serve as a molecular link between diet quality and abdominal obesity. Methods: 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. Results: Significant (p < 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. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that SDC4 may play a key mechanistic role in linking adherence to dietary recommendations with reductions in android adiposity.
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