Commentary: clinical imaging in measuring visceral adipose tissue and other body components.

In recent years it has been recognized that not only total amount of fat, but also fat distribution plays an important role in metabolism. Visceral adipose tissue (VAT), the most important component of central obesity, is closely related to insulin resistance and hyperlipidemia. It is hypothesized that an overflow of free-fatty acid and an increased secretion of inflammatory factors toward liver impairs insulin resistance and lipid metabolism[1]. Obesity is a risk factor for many chronic diseases and obesity may interact with the underlying pathophysiology of different diseases.