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Anthropometric indexes for visceral fat estimation in overweight/obese women attending to age and menopausal status

Índices antropométricos para la estimación de grasa visceral en mujeres con sobrepeso/obesidad según edad y estado menopáusico

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Abstract

The objective of the present study was to assess the usefulness and accuracy of different anthropometric measurements in the diagnosis of abdominal visceral obesity in overweight/obese women attending to age and menopausal status. The secondary objective was to evaluate the usefulness of waist circumference (WC) in two different sites. Different anthropometric indicators were assessed in 55 overweight/obese women (n=22 premenopausal, n=33 postmenopausal; BMI > 25 kg/m2) and compared with computed tomography measurements of abdominal visceral adipose tissue (VA) performed as a single scan at L4–L5. Our results show that VA significantly differs between both groups of women. Waist2-hip ratio (W2HR) was significantly correlated to VA in both groups of women. After multiple regression analysis, sagittal diameter was an independent parameter to predict VA. However, no significant differences were obtained in this diameter between both groups. None of the waist circumferences were significantly associated to VA. Moreover, the two sites of WC were statistically different. In conclusion, waist-to-hip ratio, measured immediately above the iliac crest (W2HR) seems to be the more appropriated anthropometric index for the estimation of visceral fat in women, independently of age. Although sagittal diameter is a fine parameter to predict visceral fat area, it is not adequate to discriminate between women of different age or menopausal status. In contrast with previous findings, waist circumferences do not seem to be useful for predicting VA.

Resumen

En el presente estudio se valora la utilidad y precisión de diferentes medidas antropométricas para diagnosticar la obesidad visceral en mujeres con sobrepeso/obesidad según la edad y el estatus menopáusico. También se evalúa la utilidad de la circunferencia de la cintura (C) medida en dos localizaciones diferentes. Para ello, se midieron diversos parámetros antropométricos en 55 mujeres con IMC>25 kg/m2 (n=22 premenopáusicas, n=33 postmenopáusicas) y se compararon estos datos con un escáner de tomografía computerizada del tejido adiposo visceral (AV) de la región abdominal. Según nuestros resultados, el AV resultó significativamente diferente entre ambos grupos de mujeres. El índice cintura-cadera2 (ICC2) se correlacionó con el AV. Tras un análisis de regresión múltiple, el parámetro independiente para predecir el AV fue el diámetro sagital, aunque no se encontraron diferencias significantivas en este diámetro en ambos grupos. Ninguna de las medidas de la cintura se correlacionó significativamente con el AV. Los dos perímetros de cintura fueron significativamente diferentes. En conclusión, aunque el diámetro sagital es un buen parámetro para predecir el AV, no es adecuado para discriminar diferencias en mujeres. El índice cintura-cadera2 (medido justo encima de la cresta ilíaca) parece ser el índice más apropiado para la estimación del AV, independientemente de la edad y estatus menopáusico. En contra de observaciones previas, el perímetro de cintura no es útil para predecir el AV en mujeres.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physiology, University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, 30100, Murcia, Spain

    M. Garaulet, J. J. Hernández-Morante & S. Zamora

  2. Endocrinology Service, University Hospital “Virgen de la Arrixaca”, Murcia, Spain

    F. J. Tébar

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  1. M. Garaulet
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  2. J. J. Hernández-Morante
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  3. F. J. Tébar
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  4. S. Zamora
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Correspondence to M. Garaulet.

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Garaulet, M., Hernández-Morante, J.J., Tébar, F.J. et al. Anthropometric indexes for visceral fat estimation in overweight/obese women attending to age and menopausal status. J. Physiol. Biochem. 62, 245–252 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03165753

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03165753

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