What aspects of body fat are particularly hazardous and how do we measure them?

作者：MB Snijder, Rob M. van Dam, Marjolein Visser, Jacob C. Seidell · 发表于：International Journal of Epidemiology · 年份：2005 · DOI：10.1093/ije/dyi253 · 被引用次数：597 · 研究领域：Body Composition Measurement Techniques、Nutrition and Health in Aging、Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet

There is a worldwide increase in the prevalence of obesity,1 which contributes to a higher incidence of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus.2,3 It has been projected that by 2020, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease will account for almost three-fourth of all deaths worldwide.4 Since the 1950s it has been recognized that apart from overall obesity the distribution of body fat can influence disease risk.5 In particular an abdominal fat distribution is associated with metabolic disturbances and increased risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. In the present paper we will discuss different ways to measure body composition and focus on which aspects of body fatness (e.g. central vs total, subcutaneous vs visceral) are particularly hazardous in terms of morbidity and mortality. Numerous techniques are available to estimate body composition and fat distribution, and the method to use will depend on the aim of the study, economic resources, availability, time, and sample size.6–8 Multi-compartment models, such as underwater weighing, dilution techniques and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) are all reliable methods to obtain accurate measures of total body fat. However, because of their costs in terms of time and money, these methods are not practical in large epidemiological studies and for routine clinical use. In these situations, body mass index (BMI) is often used and assumed to represent the degree of body fat. BMI, however, does not di...