Development and validation of predictive for visceral fat

Excess visceral fat is an independent risk factor and more strongly correlated to metabolic abnormalities when compared to total or subcutaneous abdominal fat. The objectiv of the study was to develop and validate a predictive equation to estimate visceral adipose tissue (VAT) from anthropometric and biochemical parameters. A methodological study developed from data from a cross-sectional study involving individuals of both sexes, aged >= 20 years, in which VAT was evaluated (computed tomography); anthropometric parameters: body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), neck circumference (NC) and thigh circumference (ThC); biochemicals: fasting glycemia (FG), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C), triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC) and fractions, C-reactive protein (CRP) and uric acid (UA); and demographic: gender, age and race. A total of 160 individuals aged between 20 and 80 years and mean of 53.2 +/- 13.9 years were evaluated. The predictive equation developed for estimating VAT in men was VAT =-2307.8 + 5.8 (age) 34.1 (race) + 722.3 (Height) + 24.2 (NC) 3.2 (FG) + 52.8 (HbA1c) + 29.3 (UA) (R-2 adjusted: 67.6%). For women, VAT =-109.0 + 1.1 (age) 2.9 (HC) + 0.3 (TG) + 5.8 (BMI) + 118 (NC) (R-2 adjusted: 48.1 %). The predictive capacity of the equations developed in relation to the VAT determined by the computed tomography was 64.1% and 49.6% for men and women, respectively. The proposed and validated equations can be used to estimate VAT when image exams are not available, being a tool that is easier to apply and more practical.