Comparison of DXA, BIA, and anthropometry for assessing subcutaneous, visceral, liver, and pancreas fat measured by MRI

Abstract

Aims: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides the most accurate assessments of site-specific fat accumulation, but is not readily available. Less-accurate methods, such as Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA), bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), and anthropometry, have been widely used to measure overall and regional adiposity. However, the extent to which these approaches reflect MRI-derived fat depots is not fully understood. Materials and Methods: We included 18 622 White participants from the UK Biobank imaging visit. A total of 27 indices from DXA, BIA, and anthropometry were selected to characterise overall and regional adiposity, and all indices were standardised. In subgroups..