The Relationship between Abdominal Visceral Fat Area and Regional Subcutaneous Skinfold Thickness in Korean Adults

Ko, Jin ho; Park, Ju sik; Kim, Ki jin

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Body fat distribution and fat area are closely linked to the morbidity of metabolic diseases. However it is unknown whether visceral fat area affects the entire body fat distribution. This study examined the relationship between visceral fat area (VFA) and subcutaneous skinfold thickness (SST) and their disttribution characteristics. These characteristics were compared to those of normal weight, obese, and visceral obese Korean adults.
METHODS
A total of 252 Korean adults participated in obesity project of Keimyung Univ. from 2005 till 2003, and they were divided into three groups : The normal weight group included 112 subjects. The obese group involved 59 subjects. The visceral obese group enrolled 81 subjects. SST of triceps, subscapular area, abdomen, suprailiac crest and thigh were measured. A skinfold caliper was used for measuring the areas while abdominaland thigh fat area were measured by CT scans.
RESULTS
Although linear relationships were found between VFA and SST of abdomen, nonlinear relationships were found between VFA and SST of abdomen in subjects with visceral fat area > 100 cm2. A decreasing tendency in thigh fat area was noted in both male and female subjects with visceral fat area > 100 cm2. Female subjects with visceral fat area < 100 cm2 showed an increasing skinfold in only arms and legs while female subjects of visceral fat area = 100 cm2 showed an increasing skinfold in the whole body. A significant relationship between VFA and thigh fat area was noted.
CONCLUSION
These results suggest that visceral fat area (VFA) and subcutaneous skinfold thickness (SST) may differ according to different visceral obesity levels.