The Value of Anthropometric Measures in Nutrition and Metabolism: Comment on Anthropometrically Predicted Visceral Adipose Tissue and Blood-Based Biomarkers: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

Abstract

Visceral adipose tissue (VAT)-fat stored deep in the abdominal cavity that surrounds vital organs-is associated with a variety of chronic health conditions. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are the gold standards to quantify VAT. However, the high cost, limited accessibility, and potential exposure to radiation limit the use of these imaging modalities. In this commentary, we review the application of a previously validated regression equation that estimates anthropometrically predicted VAT (apVAT) to explain variance in blood-based biomarkers and predict mortality in a large sample of adults. In our first study (Brown et al. 2018 Eur J Nutr; doi:10.1007/s00394-016-1308-8), apVAT accounted for more variance in biomarkers of glucose homeostasis, inflammation, and lipid metabolism, than body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), or the combination of BMI + WC. In our second study (Brown et al. 2017 Am J Hum Biol; doi:10.1002/ajhb.22898), compared with BMI, WC, and BMI + WC, apVAT more accurately predicted mortality from all causes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. These studies demonstrate that apVAT can be used in clinical practice and in clinical nutrition and metabolism research when imaging modalities to quantify VAT may not be feasible.

Keywords: Obesity; body composition; cohort study; inflammation; insulin resistance.

Figure 1.

Measurement and estimation of anthropometrically predicted visceral adipose tissue, blood-based biomarkers, and mortality outcomes. Anthropometrically predicted visceral adipose tissue was calculated using the following validated equation (Women: 2.15 × waist circumference – 3.63 × proximal thigh circumference + 1.46 × age + 6.22 × body mass index – 92.713; Men: 6 × waist circumference – 4.41 × proximal thigh circumference + 1.19 × age – 213.65). The above 41-year-old male participant would have an anthropometrically predicted 303.8 cm² of visceral adipose tissue (values rounded, center panel). Anthropometrically predicted visceral adipose tissue was correlated with and accounts for more variance in blood-based biomarkers of glucose homeostasis, inflammation, and lipid metabolism than other anthropometric measures (left panel). Moreover, anthropometrically predicted visceral adipose tissue was associated with mortality in graded dose–response fashion and more accurately predicted mortality than other anthropometric measures (right panel). Selected figures reproduced with permission.