Visceral adipose tissue area and proportion provide distinct reflections of cardiometabolic outcomes in weight loss; pooled analysis of MRI-assessed CENTRAL and DIRECT PLUS dietary randomized controlled trials.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) is well established as a pathogenic fat depot, whereas superficial subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) is associated with either an improved or neutral cardiovascular state. However, it is unclear to what extent VAT area (VATcm²) and its proportion of total abdominal adipose tissue (VAT%) are distinguished in predicting cardiometabolic status and clinical outcomes during weight loss.

Methods

We integrated magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measurements of VAT, deep-SAT, and superficial-SAT from two 18-month lifestyle weight loss clinical trials, CENTRAL and DIRECT PLUS (n = 572).

Results

At baseline, the mean VATcm² was 144.8cm² and VAT% = 28.2%; over 18 months, participants lost 28cm² VA

SUBMITTER: Klein H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11792534 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature