Usefulness of anthropometrics and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry for estimating abdominal obesity measured by magnetic resonance imaging in older men and women.
OBJECTIVE
Increasing evidence suggests that abdominal obesity may be a better predictor of disease risk than total fatness. This study sought to determine how obesity and fat distribution measured by readily available anthropometric and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) methods is related to abdominal obesity assessed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).


METHODS
Men (n = 43) and women (n = 47), ages 55 to 75 years, were assessed for body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio, waist circumference, and skin folds by anthropometric methods; for percentage of body fat by DXA; and for abdominal total, subcutaneous, and visceral fat by MRI.


RESULTS
In stepwise regression models, the waist-to-hip ratio explained 50% of the variance in abdominal visceral fat among men (P <.01), and body mass index explained an additional 6% of the variance (P <.01). Among women, waist circumference was the only independent correlate of abdominal visceral fat, accounting for 52% of the variance (P <.01). Among men, the percentage of body fat was the only independent correlate of abdominal subcutaneous fat, explaining 65% of the variance (P <.01). Among women, the percentage of body fat explained 77% of the variance in abdominal subcutaneous fat and body mass index explained an additional 3% (P <.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Obesity and body composition obtained by readily available anthropometric methods and DXA provide informative estimates of abdominal obesity assessed by MRI imaging.
Stewart
Kerry J
KJ
Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md 21224, USA. kstewart@mail.jhmi.edu
DeRegis
James R
JR
Turner
Katherine L
KL
Bacher
Anita C
AC
Sung
Jidong
J
Hees
Paul S
PS
Shapiro
Edward P
EP
Tayback
Matthew
M
Ouyang
Pamela
P
D000005:Abdomen / Q000473:pathology; D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000368:Aged; D001823:Body Composition / Q000502:physiology*; D001824:Body Constitution / Q000502:physiology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D012885:Skinfold Thickness