Measurement of abdominal fat by magnetic resonance imaging, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and anthropometry in non-obese men and women

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether the dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEX A) was a better predictor of abdominal fat, measured by magnetic: resonance imaging (MRI) at the level of L2-L3, than anthropometric measurements in n on-obese men and non-obese women. DESIGN: Observational, cross sectional study. SUBJECTS: 34 healthy subjects (17 men and 17 women) aged 20-53y with a body mass index (BMI) < 30 kg/m(2). MEASUREMENTS: Fat distribution parameters including waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR); intra abdominal fat (IAF) by MRI; and central ab dominal fat (CAF) by DEXA. RESULTS: Measurement of IAF by MRI, was highly correlated to the CAF measur ed by DEXA. In men, both waist circumference and WHR had similar correlatio n to IAF as DEXA. In women, waist circumference was less well correlated wi th IAF than DEXA, and the WHR had a weaker non significant correlation with IAF. CONCLUSIONS: In non obese men; DEXA, waist circumference and WHR can predic t IAF equally well, while in non obese women, DEXA is superior to waist cir cumference and much better than WHR.