Measurement of abdominal and visceral fat with computed tomography and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry.
These studies were undertaken to compare dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and computed tomography (CT) measurements of abdominal fat and to determine whether anthropometry could be combined with DXA to predict intraabdominal (visceral) fat mass in humans. Twenty-one volunteers underwent abdominal CT scans, DXA, and anthropometry. DXA- and CT-measured total abdominal fat were similar (8448 +/- 5005 and 8066 +/- 5354 mL, respectively; NS) and were highly correlated (r = 0.985, P < 0.001). The combination of anthropometry and DXA was a suboptimal predictor of CT-measured intraabdominal fat (r = 0.61, P < 0.05); however, the combination of a single CT slice (to assess the ratio of intraabdominal to total abdominal adipose tissue) and DXA-measured abdominal fat was an excellent predictor of CT-measured intraabdominal fat (r = 0.98, P < 0.001). We conclude that a single-slice CT scan (or other imaging technique) with or without DXA is required for accurate predictions of intraabdominal fat.
Jensen
M D
MD
Endocrine Research Unit, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905.
Kanaley
J A
JA
Reed
J E
JE
Sheedy
P F
PF
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D000328:Adult; D000886:Anthropometry; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011860:Radiography, Abdominal; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed