Life (Jul 2021)

Waist Circumference and BMI Are Strongly Correlated with MRI-Derived Fat Compartments in Young Adults

  • Duanghathai Pasanta,
  • Khin Thandar Htun,
  • Jie Pan,
  • Montree Tungjai,
  • Siriprapa Kaewjaeng,
  • Sirirat Chancharunee,
  • Singkome Tima,
  • Hong Joo Kim,
  • Jakrapong Kæwkhao,
  • Suchart Kothan

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/life11070643
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 11, no. 7
p. 643

Abstract

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Young adulthood is increasingly considered as a vulnerable age group for significant weight gain, and it is apparent that there is an increasing number of new cases of metabolic syndrome developing among this population. This study included 60 young adult volunteers (18–26 years old). All participants obtained a calculated total abdominal fat percentage, subcutaneous fat percentage, and visceral fat percentage using a semiautomatic segmentation technique from T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images of the abdomen. The results show strongest correlation between abdominal fat and BMI (r = 0.824) followed by subcutaneous fat (r = 0.768), and visceral fat (r = 0.633) respectively, (p p p < 0.05 for all). This study suggests that both BMI and waist circumference could be used to assess the fat compartments and treatment targets to reduce the risk of metabolic disorders and health risks in the young adult population.

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