Abstract
Aims
To provide a reference standard database of ultrasonographic parameters of abdominal
adiposity in healthy people.
Methods
Italian non-obese volunteers among blood donors were enrolled in 5 age bands (from
18 to 70 year-old) to reach the threshold of 25 males and 25 females per single band
(total: 250). All subjects were measured for weight, height and waist circumference
and underwent ultrasonography (US) by an expert radiologist for the assessment of
several abdominal fat thicknesses (minimum and maximum subcutaneous fat thickness, maximum preperitoneal fat thickness, intrabdominal fat thickness, aorto-mesenteric thickness, and mesenteric fat thickness). In addition, US data were normalized per waist circumference.
Results
From 30s to 50s no statistically significant differences were achieved between males
and females for the adiposity markers of visceral fat, while a relevant divergence
was proved from 60s to 70s. During ageing a marked increase of the visceral fat compartment
was observed in males, while only the preperitoneal circumference was significantly
modified in females.
Conclusions
This paper reports on US parameters of abdominal adiposity of healthy Italian adults,
to be used as a reference for daily clinical practice. Data could be also considered
as control group for future investigations on physiology, pathological conditions,
and differences between countries.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: March 17, 2014
Accepted:
February 16,
2014
Received in revised form:
February 15,
2014
Received:
July 22,
2013
Identification
Copyright
© 2014 Primary Care Diabetes Europe. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
