Measurement of visceral adipose tissue by DXA combined with anthropometry in obese humans.
OBJECTIVE
To get accurate measurements of visceral adipose tissue (VAT) using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA).


METHODS
DXA and anthropometric data and their combinations were compared to the VAT area calculated from a computed tomography (CT) single scan.


METHODS
71 overweight subjects (44 women, 27 men), age: 16-70 y, BMI: 27-52 kg/m2.


METHODS
Total body and segmental tissue composition, and new parameters obtained from DXA, in addition to waist and hip circumferences and abdominal sagittal diameter measurements.


RESULTS
The ratio measured at the umbilical level (sagittal diameter - subcutaneous fat width) x (transverse internal diameter)/(height) was closely related to VAT (r=0.94 for women and 0.88 for men). It gave the most predictive equation for VAT: y = 79.6x (s.e. 3.9) - 149 cm2 for the whole population (r2=0.86, P<0.0001, root mean square error=38.2 cm2. An independent relationship between lean mass or its index (r=0.52 and 0.72, P<0.001) and VAT was also found in women.


CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrates the potential usefulness of DXA to supply accurate measurements of VAT in addition to total body composition determination in obese subjects.
Bertin
E
E
Department of Diabetology, Nutrition, and Metabolism, University Hospital, Reims, France. ebertin@chu-reims.fr
Marcus
C
C
Ruiz
J C
JC
Eschard
J P
JP
Leutenegger
M
M
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000273:Adipose Tissue; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000886:Anthropometry; D001823:Body Composition; D001824:Body Constitution; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014781:Viscera