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  • Original Article
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Prediction of visceral fat area in Japanese adults: proposal of prediction method applicable in a field setting

Abstract

Objective:

This study aimed to develop a prediction equation for the visceral fat area at the umbilical level (VFAL4–5) in Japanese adults, using internal fat mass (IFM) estimated from a few anthropometric variables.

Methods:

Subjects were 112 adults aged from 25 to 82 years (body mass index (BMI)=24.2±3.1 kg/m2, ranged from 15.7 to 31.2 kg/m2). Another 60 adults aged from 21 to 71 years were recruited for the crossvalidation group (BMI=24.5±4.0 kg/m2, ranged from 17.1 to 34.6 kg/m2). We examined (1) the prediction of IFM based on a small number of skinfold thicknesses; (2) the prediction of VFAL4–5 using IFM and (3) the application of bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) measurement. VFAL4–5 was measured by computed tomography (reference value). Total fat mass was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and single-frequency BIA with 8-point tactile electrodes.

Results:

Three skinfolds at the abdomen, side chest and suprailiac were selected to estimate IFM. From IFM estimated using these three skinfolds, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), sex and age, about 75% of the variance of VFAL4–5 could be explained (EqVFA1: R=863, R2=0.745, standard error of estimate (s.e.e.)=20.483 cm2). When substituting IFM based on BIA measurement (IFMBIA) into EqVFA1, there were no significant mean differences from the reference in both equations, and high correlations were found (r=0.860, s.e.e.=20.902 cm2), although a significant mean difference in total fat mass was found between DXA and BIA measurements. The prediction equation using IFMBIA (EqVFA2) could have prediction accuracy comparable with that of EqVFA1 (EqVFA2: R=879, R2=0.773, s.e.e.=20.324 cm2). Furthermore, when applying these equations to the crossvalidation group, there were cross-validity in both equations.

Conclusion:

This study proposed a prediction equation for VFAL4–5 from WHR and IFM based on three skinfolds, and the validity of BIA measurement in Japanese adults. We can propose the procedure for a field setting.

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Correspondence to S Sato.

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Demura, S., Sato, S. Prediction of visceral fat area in Japanese adults: proposal of prediction method applicable in a field setting. Eur J Clin Nutr 61, 727–735 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602576

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