Visceral Fat (Visceral Adipose Tissue)
Visceral Fat (Visceral Adipose Tissue)
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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 DXA scans 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.
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