title: Standardized Ultrasound Measurement of Subcutaneous Fat Patterning: High Reliability and Accuracy in Groups Ranging from Lean to Obese.
abstract: A recently standardized ultrasound technique for measuring subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) was applied to normal-weight, overweight and obese persons. Eight measurement sites were used: upper abdomen, lower abdomen, erector spinae, distal triceps, brachioradialis, lateral thigh, front thigh and medial calf. Fat compression was avoided. Fat patterning in 38 participants (body mass index: 18.6-40.3 kgm-2; SAT thickness sums from eight sites: 12-245 mm) was evaluated using a software specifically designed for semi-automatic multiple thickness measurements in SAT (sound speed: 1450 m/s) that also quantifies embedded fibrous structures. With respect to ultrasound intra-observer results, the correlation coefficient ρ = 0.999 (p < 0.01), standard error of the estimate = 1.1 mm and 95% of measurements were within ±2.2 mm. For the normal-weight subgroup, the median measurement deviation was 0.43 mm (1.1% of mean thickness), and for the obese/overweight subgroup it was 0.89 mm (0.5%). The eight sites used here are suggested to represent inter-individual differences in SAT patterning. High measurement accuracy and reliability can be obtained in all groups, from lean to overweight and obese, provided that measurers are trained appropriately.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biophysics, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Störchle
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biophysics, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria. Electronic address: wolfram.mueller@medunigraz.at.
authors.forename: Wolfram
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Müller
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biophysics, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Marietta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sengeis
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biophysics, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Helmut
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ahammer
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biophysics, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Alfred
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fürhapter-Rieger
authors.affiliation: Centre of Sports Science, Department of Sports and Physiological Performance, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Norbert
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bachl
authors.affiliation: Institute of Pathophysiology and Immunology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Sonja
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lackner
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapeutic Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Sabrina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mörkl
authors.affiliation: Institute of Pathophysiology and Immunology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Holasek
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001823:Body Composition / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D050151:Subcutaneous Fat / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013851:Thinness / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods*
keywords: Body composition; Obesity; Overweight; Subcutaneous adipose tissue; Ultrasound measurement precision