Estimation of Visceral Fat Area from Anthropometric Measurements in Japanese Women

0500 The visceral fat area (VFA) may closely correlate with high prevalence of coronary risk factors. Although a single cross-sectional computed tomography (CT) scan can provide accurate measurement of the VFA, CT scan cannot be used widely as a field test because it is expensive and involves X-ray exposure. Thus, there is a need to develop simpler, less expensive techniques to estimate VFA using anthropometric variables. PURPOSE: To develop a useful equation estimating VFA from anthropometric measurements as a more approachable and cost-effective technique. METHODS: Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis was used to develop a prediction equation for VFA based on 9 simple anthropometric variables. CT scans were used to measure VFA at the level of umbilicus. Age, weight, body mass index (BMI), abdominal girth, abdominal sagittal diameter, waist to hip ratio, maximal oxygen uptake, abdominal skinfold and body fat were also measured. Subjects were 104 overweight Japanese women, aged 24–64 years, recruited through advertisements in local newspapers. RESULTS: The prediction equation included three anthropometric variables as follows: VFA (cm2) = 5.38 (Sagittal diameter; cm) + 1.97 (Age; yr) + 5.05 (BMI; kg/m2) − 266.87 This model could explain 62% of the variance in VFA and was associated with a measurement error of 28.1%. CONCLUSIONS: This equation might be used as an inexpensive estimation of VFA. The usefulness of including sagittal diameter in an independent group was suggested.