A Simple Estimate of Visceral Fat Area by Multifrequency Bioimpedance Analysis Is Associated with Multiple Biomarkers of Inflammation and Cardiometabolic Disease: A Pilot Study

There is a need for identifying whether simple techniques for estimating visceral fat can accurately predict inflammatory and cardiometabolic disease (CMD) biomarkers in various populations. We aimed to determine whether a simple estimate of visceral fat area by multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analysis (MFBIA) was independently associated with multiple biomarkers of inflammation and CMD. Seventy-eight men and women (mean ± SD: age 52.0 ± 10.8 y; visceral fat area 105.6 ± 55.0 cm2) self-reported their medical histories and activity levels. Visceral fat area was estimated with MFBIA, CMD and inflammatory biomarkers were measured by fasting blood draw, and homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was calculated. Associations were assessed using multivariable linear regression. With adjustment for age, sex, height, race/ethnicity, family history of diabetes, and smoking, a 1-standard deviation (1-SD) increase in visceral fat (55 cm2) was associated with higher levels of insulin (60.4%), triglycerides (43.6%), C-reactive protein (38.7%), interleukin-6 (33.9%), leptin (77.9%), and HOMA-IR (51.8%, p < 0.01 for all). These associations were attenuated but remained significant when physical activity and sedentary behavior were entered into the model (p ≤ 0.01). These findings suggest that a simple estimate of visceral fat area by MFBIA may be a good indicator of increased CMD risk and may be useful in clinical practice.