Correlation of anthropometry with CT in Mexican‐American women

Abstract

Measurement of regional fat has commonly been accomplished by extrapolation from anthropometric measures. Recent studies of White and Black women have demonstrated differences in intra-abdominal fat, using computerized tomographic (CT) techniques. These same estimates were computed for 48 Mexican American women who were undergoing CT for diagnostic purposes. Waist-hip ratios, waist-thigh ratios, and sagittal diameter index were also calculated. Four (7mm) CT slices between L—4 and L - 5 were analyzed with imaging software. The volume of both subcutaneous and visceral fat was estimated. Like other minority women, Mexican American women had less intra-abdominal fat than subcutaneous fat, which is important because of the association of excess intra-abdominal fat with cardiovascular risk. Intra-abdominal fat volume was significantly predicted by only one variable, sagittal abdominal diameter, while subcutaneous fat volume was predicted by hip and thigh circumferences. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Res Nurs Health 22:145–153, 1999