Alternative Strategies for Assessing Central Adiposity

Abstract

Chroníc diseases are being experienced throughout the globe at higher rates as we approach the new millennium. In particular, central adiposity is being recognized as one aspect of the metabolic syndrome that predisposes individuals for chronic diseases. Accumulation of more adipose tissue in the abdominal region usually involves increasing amounts of deep adipose tissue and visceral adipose tissue. Recognition ofthe risk of increasing amounts of visceral adipose tissue and central adiposity has led to the evaluation of several methods to detect the amount of abdominal adipose tissue. Regional body composition assessment techniques have been developed to screen for increasing risk for the metabolic syndrome. These techniques include anthropometric measures, indexes of anthropometric measures, and imaging techniques which permit determination of the amount of subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue. Waist circumference and abdominal sagittal diameter are the preferred anthropometric techni-ques for assessing central adiposity in adults. Threshold values for waist circumferences and sagittal diameter require further evaluation to determine what cut-offs represent risk in of chronic disease in different population groups and individuals of differing heights.

Keywords

• Visceral adipose tissue
• Central adiposity
• Waist circumference
• Abdominal sagittal diameter