Visceral Fat (Visceral Adipose Tissue)
DXA computer software now allow measurement of intra-abdominal fat. This is known as visceral fat or visceral adipose tissue - VAT. VAT is more strongly correlated to risk of diabetes and heart disease disease, than superficial (subcutaneous ) fat.
The DXA estimates of VAT agree well with similar CT scan measurements but only involve a fraction of the radiation dose.
The DXA estimates of VAT agree well with similar CT scan measurements but only involve a fraction of the radiation dose.
Acknowledgement: Chris Wikoff 2014, reproduced with permission. Medicine Today 2014; 15(12): 62-64
|
Cross section through the abdomen showing visceral fat which is a risk factor for developing diabetes and heart disease.
Visceral fat can be reliably measured using DXA body composition. |