Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Paper
  • Published:

Measurement of visceral adipose tissue by DXA combined with anthropometry in obese humans

International Journal of Obesity volume 24, pages 263–270 (2000)Cite this article

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To get accurate measurements of visceral adipose tissue (VAT) using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA).

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

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

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

RESULTS: The ratio measured at the umbilical level (sagittal diameter−subcutaneous fat width)×(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.

CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the potential usefulness of DXA to supply accurate measurements of VAT in addition to total body composition determination in obese subjects.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

  • Purchase on Springer Link
  • Instant access to full article PDF
Buy now

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Lapidus L, Bengtsson C, Larsson B, Pennert K, Rybo E, Sjöström L . Distribution of adipose tissue and risk of cardiovascular disease and death: a 12 year follow-up of participants in the population study of women in Gothenburg, Sweden Br Med J 1984 289: 1261–1263.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Larsson B, Svärdsudd K, Welin L, Wilhelmsen L, Bjorntorp P, Tibblin G . Abdominal adipose tissue distribution, obesity and risk of cardiovascular disease and death: 13 year follow-up of participants in the study of men born in 1913 Br Med J 1984 288: 1401–1404.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Lundgren H, Bengtsson C, Blohme G, Lapidus L . Adiposity and adipose tissue distribution in relation to incidence of diabetes in women: results from a prospective population study in Gothenburg, Sweden Int J Obes 1989 13: 413–423.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Björntorp P . “Portal” adipose tissue as a generator of risk factors for cardiovascular disease and diabetes Arteriosclerosis 1990 10: 493–496.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Evans DJ, Hoffman RG, Kalkhoff RD, Kissebah AH . Relationship of body fat topography to insulin sensitivity and metabolic profiles in premenopausal women Metabolism 1984 33: 68–75.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Fujioka S, Matsuzawa Y, Tokunaga K, Tarui S . Contribution of intra-abdominal fat accumulation to the impairment of glucose and lipid metabolism in human obesity Metabolism 1987 36: 54–59.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Yamashita S, Nakamura T, Shimomura I, Nishida M, Yoshida S, Kotani K, Kameda-Takemuara K, Tokunaga K, Matsuzawa Y . Insulin resistance and body fat distribution: contribution of visceral fat accumulation to the development of insulin-resistance and atherosclerosis Diabetes Care 1996 19: 287–291.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Van Der Kooy K, Seidell JC . Techniques for the measurement of visceral fat: a practical guide Int J Obes 1993 17:: 187–196.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Despres J-P, Prud'homme D, Pouliot M-C, Tremblay A, Bouchard C . Estimation of deep abdominal adipose-tissue accumulation from simple anthropometric measurements in men Am J Clin Nutr 1991 54: 471–477.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Kahn HS, Austin H, Williamson DF, Arensberg P . Simple anthropometric indices associated with ischemic heart disease J Clin Epidemiol 1996 49: 1017–1024.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Kvist H, Chowdhury B, Grangard U, Tylen U, Sjöström L . Total and visceral adipose-tissue volume derived from measurements with computed tomography in adult men and women: predictive equations Am J Clin Nutr 1988 48: 1351–1361.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Pouliot M-C, Despres J-P, Lemieux S, Moorjani S, Bouchard C, Tremblay A, Nadeau A, Lupien PJ . Waist circumference and abdominal sagittal diameter: best simple anthropometric indexes of abdominal visceral adipose tissue accumulation and related cardiovascular risk in men and women Am J Cardiol 1994 73: 460–468.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Ross R, Leger L, Morris DV, de Guise J, Guardo R . Quantification of adipose tissue by MRI: relationship with anthropometric variables J Appl Physiol 1992 72: 787–795.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Seidell JC, Oosterlee A, Deurenberg P, Hautvast J, Ruijs J . Abdominal fat depots measured with computed tomography: effects of degree of obesity, sex, and age Eur J Clin Nutr 1988 42: 805–815.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Hayes PA, Sowood PJ, Belyavin A, Cohen JB, Smith FW . Subcutaneous fat thickness measured by magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound, and calipers Med Sci Sports Ex 1988 20: 303–309.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Van Der Kooy K, Leenen R, Seidell JC, Deurenberg P, Visser M . Abdominal diameters as indicators of visceral fat: comparison between magnetic resonance imaging and anthropometry Br J Nutr 1993 70: 47–58.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Kvist H, Sjöström L, Tylen U . Adipose tissue volume determinations in women by computed tomography: technical considerations Int J Obes 1986 10: 53–67.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Tokunaga K, Matsuzawa Y, Ishikawa K, Tarui S . A novel technique for the determination of body fat by computed tomography Int J Obes 1983 7: 437–445.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Borkan GA, Gerzof SG, Robbins AH . Assessment of abdominal fat content by computed tomography Am J Clin Nutr 1982 36: 172–177.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Jensen MD, Kanaley JA, Reed JE, Sheedy PF . Measurement of abdominal and visceral fat with computed tomography and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry Am J Clin Nutr 1995 61: 274–278.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Jensen MD, Kanaley JA, Roust LR, O'Brien PC, Braun JS, Dunn WL, Wahner HW . Assessment of body composition with use of DEXA: evaluation and comparison with other methods Mayo Clin Proc 1993 68: 867–873.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Haarbo J, Gotfredsen A, Hassager C, Christiansen C . Validation of body composition by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) Clin Physiol 1991 11: 331–341.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Svendsen OL, Hassager C, Bergmann I, Christiansen C . Measurement of abdominal and intra-abdominal fat in postmenopausal women by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry and anthropometry: comparison with computerized tomography Int J Obes 1993 17: 45–51.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Van Loan MD, Mayclin PL . Body composition assessment: dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) compared to reference methods Eur J Clin Nutr 1992 46: 125–130.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Wellens R, Chumlea WC, Guo S, Roche AF, Reo NV, Siervogel RM . Body composition in white adults by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, densitometry and total body water Am J Clin Nutr 1994 59: 547–555.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Pietrobelli A, Formica C, Wang Z, Heymsfield B . Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry body composition model: review of physical concepts Am J Physiol 1996 271: E941–E951.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Ley CJ, Lees B, Stevenson JC . Sex- and menopause-associated changes in body-fat distribution Am J Clin Nutr 1992 55: 950–954.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Sjöström L, Kvist H, Cederblad A, Tylen U . Determination of total adipose tissue and body fat in women by computed tomography, 40K, and tritium Am J Physiol 1986 250: E736–E745.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Bland J, Altman D . Statistical methods for assessing agreement between two methods of clinical measurement Lancet 1986 1: 307–310.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Guo SS, Chumlea WC . Statistical methods for the development and testing of predictive equations. In: Roche AF, Heymsfield SB, Lohman TG (eds) Human Body Composition Human Kinetics: Champaign II 1996 pp 191-202.

    Google Scholar 

  31. Treuth MS, Hunter GR, Kekes-Szabo T . Estimating intra-abdominal adipose tissue in women by duel-energy X-ray absorptiometry Am J Clin Nutr 1995 62: 527–532.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Busetto L, Baggio MB, Zurlo F, Digito M, Enzi G . Assessment of abdominal fat distribution in obese patients: anthropometry versus computerized tomography Int J Obes 1992 16: 731–736.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Björntorp P . Are regional metabolic differences of adipose tissue responsible for different risks of obesity? Horm Metab Res Suppl 1988 19: 23–25.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Armellini F, Scalfi L, Zamboni M, Castelli S, Mino A, Bosello O . Relationship between hydration of lean body mass and visceral adipose tissue. A clinical study of women Int J Obes 1996 20: 37–40.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Wang Z-M, Pierson RBN, Heymsfield SB . The five level model: a new approach to organizing body-composition research Am J Clin Nutr 1992 56: 19–28.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Diabetology, Nutrition, and Metabolism, of Radiology, and of Internal Medicine, University Hospital, Reims Cedex, 51092, France

    E Bertin, C Marcus, J-P Eschard & M Leutenegger

  2. Department of Rheumatology, Cochin University Hospital, Paris, 75014, France

    J-C Ruiz

Authors
  1. E Bertin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. C Marcus
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. J-C Ruiz
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. J-P Eschard
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. M Leutenegger
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to E Bertin.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Bertin, E., Marcus, C., Ruiz, JC. et al. Measurement of visceral adipose tissue by DXA combined with anthropometry in obese humans. Int J Obes 24, 263–270 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0801121

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0801121

Keywords

This article is cited by

Search

Advanced search

Quick links