Visceral Adipose Tissue – A Comparative Analysis of DXA and Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis

Authors

Emmanuel Franco, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of MedicineFollow
Maria Quezada, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Yuliana Sanchez-Trinidad, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Kassandra Reyes, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Aylin Barrera, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Allison De La Vina, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Abstract

Visceral adipose tissue (VAT), defined as the abdominal fat surrounding intraabdominal organs including the stomach, kidneys, and intestines, can be directly linked to the development of metabolic syndrome and increased mortality. CT and MRI are currently regarded as the most reliable modalities for estimating VAT area, however bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) have emerged as more convenient and cost-friendly alternatives for obtaining VAT and other body composition values. PURPOSE: This study compared VAT areas gathered via DXA and BIA in a population of mostly Hispanic individuals, to assess the reliability and association of both modalities to body fat percentage (PBF). METHODS: 47 adults, aged 18+, were assessed for total body composition with the Lunar iDXA (GE Healthcare, Madison WI) and BIA via the InBody 770 (InBody, Seoul, South Korea). Participants were instructed to arrive hydrated, with manufacturer suggested clothing, for testing after a minimum 4-hour fast and abstain from exercise for the previous 12 hours. Hydration was assessed before testing using a urine refractometer with an acceptable range between 1.004-1.029. Participants repeated the testing protocol on a separate day within a two-week period for reliability measures. Coefficient of variation percent (CV%) and least significant change at 95% (LSC) were used for reliability, Pearson correlations were used to assess the relationship between VAT and PBF, and paired samples t-tests compared VAT area between DXA and BIA. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS v28 (IBM Corporation, New York, USA) and alpha was set at 0.05. RESULTS: DXA VAT area values had higher CV% (28.24%, LSC= 99.4) than BIA (7.36%, LSC= 8.3). PBF and VAT area obtained with the InBody were strongly correlated (r=0.847, p<.001). PBF and VAT with DXA showed moderate correlation (0.466, pp<0.001) as were both VAT measures (0.785, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: DXA and BIA, albeit more indirectly, may provide reliable indicators regarding patterns of VAT area accrual with increases in PBF. InBody resulted in VAT values with less variation, making it a more cost-friendly, user-friendly, and accessible option for regular use in individuals seeking information and guidance on potential consequences of central obesity patterns.

Recommended Citation

Franco, Emmanuel; Quezada, Maria; Sanchez-Trinidad, Yuliana; Reyes, Kassandra; Barrera, Aylin; and De La Vina, Allison (2025) "Visceral Adipose Tissue – A Comparative Analysis of DXA and Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis," International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 2: Iss. 17, Article 104.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol2/iss17/104