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Sagittal abdominal diameter: comparison with waist circumference and its prediction of metabolic syndrome

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Mediterranean Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism

Abstract

Background

For an “in the field” estimate of visceral adiposity, simple, inexpensive, non-invasive and highly repetitive methods are needed. The anthropometric measurement most commonly used as an indicator for visceral fat deposits is waist circumference (W). Nevertheless, there are some doubts with regard to the anatomic landmark points where the evaluation needs to be carried out. Sagittal abdominal diameter (SAD) is another anthropometric measurement that has been proposed for the estimation of visceral fat.

Objective

The aims of the study are to evaluate intra- and inter-operator variability of the estimation of the SAD compared to W; correlate SAD to other anthropometric parameters and to factors involved in the metabolic syndrome (MS); and identify the values for the estimation of the SAD able to classify different risk levels with respect to the MS.

Methods

Ninety-five subjects at the Metabolic and Nutritional Rehabilitation Unit “Villa delle Querce” in Nemi were selected. Anthropometric and biochemical parameters were collected. The presence of a MS was detected. Intra- and inter-operator variability in the measurement of W and SAD and the predictive capacity of SAD in the estimation of the risk for MS were calculated.

Results

The main results achieved were reduced intra- and inter-operator variability in the measurement of SAD compared to W; confirmation of the correlations between SAD and the anthropometric parameters as indicators of a higher fat mass; and good predictive capacity of SAD towards MS (cut-off points: 22.2 cm for men and 19.5 cm for women).

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medical Physiopathology (Food Science Laboratory), “Sapienza” University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy

    Lorenzo M. Donini, Settimio Tempera, Barbara Neri, Alessandro Pinto & Carlo Cannella

  2. Rehabilitation Clinical Institute “Villa delle Querce”, Nemi, Rome, Italy

    Luciano Scavone, Claudia Savina, Cecilia Coletti, Maddalena Paolini & Maria Rosaria De Felice

Authors
  1. Lorenzo M. Donini
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  2. Luciano Scavone
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  3. Claudia Savina
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  4. Cecilia Coletti
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  5. Maddalena Paolini
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  6. Settimio Tempera
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  7. Barbara Neri
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  8. Maria Rosaria De Felice
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  9. Alessandro Pinto
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  10. Carlo Cannella
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Lorenzo M. Donini.

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Donini, L.M., Scavone, L., Savina, C. et al. Sagittal abdominal diameter: comparison with waist circumference and its prediction of metabolic syndrome. Mediterr J Nutr Metab 2, 187–195 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12349-009-0067-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12349-009-0067-y

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