Regional body volumes in nonobese and obese women and men

Abstract

Although regional fat distribution is remarkably similar between nonobese and obese women and men, it is unknown whether the compartment volumes are similar between genders or equally increased in obese women and men.We examined abdominal volumes (AVs) in 11 nonobese women (30 yr, 21 BMI), 9 nonobese men (30 yr, 23 BMI), 10 obese women (33 yr, 37 BMI), and 10 obese men (36 yr, 35 BMI). AVs were calculated from whole body MRI and analyzed by independent t‐test with Bonferroni correction (p<0.0125).Subcutaneous (subQ) AV occupied 23±4% and 20±5% of outer AV (p>0.05) in nonobese women and men, respectively, and 53±4% and 37±8% in obese women and men, respectively (p<0.0001). Anterior and posterior subQ AVs did not differ between nonobese women and men (p>0.05); but were greater (p<0.0002) in obese women than obese men. Inner and outer AVs were smaller (p<0.001) in nonobese women than men; while in obese women only inner AV was smaller than in men (p<0.0001). All AVs were greater (p<0.0001) in obese than nonobese women except for inner AV (p>0.0125), and all were greater (p<0.0001) in obese than nonobese men.Thus, despite gender differences in outer and inner AVs, anterior and posterior subQ AVs are similar between nonobese women and men. The increase in AV in obese women is mostly due to an increase in subQ, but not inner AV; while in obese men it is due to increases in both subQ and inner AV.Lithera, Inc, HL096782, King's Fund, ALA, AHA.