Anthropometric prediction of visceral adipose tissue in persons with motor complete spinal cord injury

Abstract Background Spinal cord injury (SCI) results in increased accumulation of visceral adipose tissue (VAT). Anthropometrics may provide an alternative to estimate VAT cross-section area (CSA) compared to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Objective To validate the use of anthropometrics, including abdominal circumference and skinfold thickness (SF T ) measurements against MRI to predict subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) and VAT cross-sectional areas in persons with SCI. Design Cross-sectional. Setting Clinical research center Participant Twenty-two men with motor complete SCI Methods Anthropometric measurements and MRI were taken during a single visit. Abdominal circumference and SF T were used to derive prediction equations for subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT Anthro-CSA ) and VAT (VAT Anthro-CSA ). Three-axial MRI at the level of umbilicus was used to establish the prediction equations. VAT Anthro-CSA was compared against body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, and SF T . Bland-Altman plots were used to determine limits of agreement between prediction equations and MRI. Main Outcome Measurements SAT and VAT cross-sectional areas. Results SAT Anthro-CSA explained 76% of the variance in SAT cross-sectional area ( r 2 = 0.76, standard error of the estimate [SEE] = 49.5 cm 2 , P Anthro-CSA explained 72% of VAT cross-sectional area ( r 2 = 0.72, SEE=45.8 cm 2 , P Anthro-CSA , BMI, waist circumference, and SF T explained only 37%, 63%, and 31%, respectively, in the variance of VAT MRI. Conclusion Abdominal circumference and SF T demonstrated an alternative way to predict VAT CSA. VAT Anthro-CSA estimated VAT MRI more accurately than BMI, waist circumference, and SF T in individuals with chronic SCI. Level of Evidence I