Visceral adipose tissue normative values in adults from the United States using GE Lunar iDXA.

Abstract

To create normative data for visceral adipose tissue (VAT) derived from the GE Lunar iDXA specific to sex and age cohorts for adults in the United States (US). A cross-sectional analysis of 649 adults were evaluated [Mean±SD (Range): Males: n=351; Age=33·2±17·4years (18-75years); Body mass index (BMI)=26·5±5·4kg·m-2 (17·5-44·2kg·m-2 ); Females: n=298; Age=28·5±14·3years (18·0-75·0years); BMI=25·8±6·9kg·m-2 (17·9-54·8kg·m-2 )]. From a total body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan, VAT mass (kg) and volume (cm3 ) were quantified from the software-delineated region-of-interest. The relationship between VAT and age was evaluated using regression analysis. Separate VAT percentiles were stratified by age range (18-19years; 20-24years; 25-50years; 50+years) for males and females. In both males and females, there was a positive, non-linear relationship between VAT and age (R2 =0·47-0·49; P<0·0001). In males, the 50th percentile for VAT mass and volume, stratified by age was: 18-19years (0·18kg; 185·67cm3 ), 20-24years (0·25kg; 261·21cm3 ), 25-49years (0·71kg; 746·27cm3 ) and 50+years (1·62kg; 1708·36cm3 ). In females, the 50th percentile for VAT mass and volume, stratified by age was: 18-19years (0·04kg; 44·90cm3 ), 20-24years (0·06kg; 59·57cm3 ), 25-49years (0·55kg; 579·28cm3 ) and 50+years (1·21kg; 1284·59cm3 ). These normative values provide a reference for VAT mass and volume in US adults 18-75years of age obtained using the GE Lunar iDXA. Measures of VAT provide important information about metabolic and cardiovascular health risk beyond that of BMI and per cent body fat.