| Title: | Comparison of DXA, BIA, and anthropometry for assessing subcutaneous, visceral, liver, and pancreas fat measured by MRI |
| Journal: | Diabetes Obesity and Metabolism |
| Published: | 5 Jan 2026 |
| Pubmed: | https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41492175/ |
| DOI: | https://doi.org/10.1111/dom.70456 |
Publication 16881
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Abstract
AIMS: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides the most accurate assessments of site-specific fat accumulation, but is not readily available. Less-accurate methods, such as Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA), bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), and anthropometry, have been widely used to measure overall and regional adiposity. However, the extent to which these approaches reflect MRI-derived fat depots is not fully understood.</p>
MATERIALS AND METHODS: We included 18 622 White participants from the UK Biobank imaging visit. A total of 27 indices from DXA, BIA, and anthropometry were selected to characterise overall and regional adiposity, and all indices were standardised. In subgroups stratified by age and sex, Pearson correlation coefficients were used to assess the degree of linear association between these indices and MRI-determined subcutaneous, visceral, liver, and pancreas fat. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were further calculated to evaluate the absolute agreement between the corresponding fat measures.</p>
RESULTS: Generally, correlations of adiposity indices from DXA (total, trunk, android, gynoid, arm, and leg fat), BIA (total, trunk, arm, and leg fat), and anthropometry (body mass index (BMI), waist and hip circumference) with MRI measures were strongest for subcutaneous fat, followed by visceral fat, and weakest for liver and pancreas fat. The correlation coefficients with MRI-based visceral fat were larger for indices reflecting abdominal adiposity (e.g., DXA-based visceral, android, and trunk fat, BIA-based trunk fat, and waist circumference) and for measures of total adiposity (e.g., DXA- and BIA-derived total fat). The absolute agreement with MRI-based visceral fat was highest for DXA-based visceral, trunk, and android fat (ICC = 0.73-0.94), followed by waist circumference (ICC = 0.73-0.77), and then the remaining indices.</p>
CONCLUSIONS: Indices of abdominal adiposity (as indicated by DXA-derived visceral, trunk, and android fat and waist circumference) appeared highly reflective of MRI-determined visceral fat. Considering cost and accessibility, waist circumference may serve as the most appropriate surrogate for assessing visceral fat.</p>
5 Authors
- Danyang Wang
- Jedidiah I. Morton
- Agus Salim
- Dianna J. Magliano
- Jonathan E. Shaw
1 Application
| Application ID | Title |
|---|---|
| 55469 | Aetiology and prediction of cardiometabolic diseases, their comorbidities and complications |
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