Establishment of a Novel Automated Approach for Quantification of Subcutaneous and Visceral Adipose Tissues: Correlates with Other Anthropometric Measurements and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors

Sarayu Annamalai Parimal¹, Karren Hui Min Chen¹, Suresh Anand Sadananthan², Sam Sim¹, Vitali Zagorodnov², Michael WL Chee¹

We developed a novel automated algorithm for estimation of visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissues. Using it on abdominal MR scans obtained from 119 healthy elderly volunteers showed that women have more subcutaneous abdominal fat while men have more visceral abdominal fat [6], which was consistent with previous studies. Visceral, and not subcutaneous abdominal fat, is associated with the various risk factors for cardiometabolic diseases [7]. We conclude that this automated method of abdominal adiposity quantification and analysis is a sensitive and valid tool to be utilized in future epidemiological studies of abdominal adiposity and cardiovascular and metabolic health.