The relationship between the body mass index and the subcutaneous adipose tissue

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between the body mass index and ultrasound-measured subcutaneous adipose tissue (SCAT) thickness, in order to propose an alternative non-invasive and inexpensive method to measure the subcutaneous fat. We also evaluated the liver size and the existence of hepatosteatosis, and investigated whether there was a relationship between liver measurements and body mass index (BMI), and the SCAT measurements. Methods: Height, weight, arm SCAT, umbilical SCAT, thigh SCAT, umbilical preperitoneal fat (PPF) and craniocaudal liver size of 72 volunteers were measured and liver parenchymal echogenicity was evaluated with ultrasound. Correlations between BMI and the SCAT, the PPF, and liver measurements were evaluated statistically. Results: BMI was mostly well correlated with umbilical SCAT (r=0.650, p<0.001). The arm SCAT (r=0.549, p<0.001) and the thigh SCAT (r=0.470, p£0.001) followed it. The umbilical PPF was only correlated with the umbilical SCAT. There was no relationship between arm, or thigh SCAT values and existence of hepatosteatosis, but existence of hepatosteatosis was related with umbilical SCAT (p=0.008), and umbilical PPF (p=0.009) values. Conclusion: As an alternative method to skinfold measurement, SCAT measurement with ultrasound can be used to evaluate body fat status.