Key result
CT-measured visceral fat volume outperforms BMI and waist circumference for predicting metabolic syndrome in middle-aged adults.
Why the study?
Total abdominal visceral fat volume measured by CT has emerged as a critical marker for metabolic syndrome with stronger predictive capacity than BMI or waist circumference, but tailored interpretation and clinical integration remain challenging.
Does CT-derived total abdominal visceral fat volume better predict metabolic syndrome compared to traditional anthropometric indices in middle-aged adults?
Does CT-derived total abdominal visceral fat volume better predict metabolic syndrome compared to traditional anthropometric indices in middle-aged adults?
CT-derived visceral fat volume is a superior predictive biomarker for metabolic syndrome compared to traditional anthropometric measures, though radiation and cost remain barriers to routine use.
CT-measured visceral fat volume may refine MetS risk stratification beyond BMI; leaves open whether it changes management or outcomes in practice.
Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a constellation of interconnected risk factors such as central obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and insulin resistance that significantly increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Among various adiposity measures, total abdominal visceral fat volume (VFV) has emerged as a critical marker due to its strong association with the pathophysiology of MetS. Computed Tomography (CT) based volumetric quantification provides a precise, reproducible assessment of visceral adiposity and has demonstrated stronger predictive capacity for MetS than body mass index (BMI) or waist circumference. Sex, age, and ethnicity influence VFV thresholds, necessitating tailored interpretation. Integration of VFV with biochemical indices and emerging composite scores such as the Metabolic Score for Visceral Fat (METS-VF) enhances cardiometabolic risk stratification. Clinical applications of VFV extend beyond MetS, encompassing risks for osteoporosis, overactive bladder, and cardiovascular disease. Despite challenges such as radiation exposure and cost, emerging alternatives, including low-dose CT protocols, MRI-based fat quantification, ultrasound-based estimation, and AI-driven deeplearning segmentation and radiomics for automated VFV measurement, show promise for broader implementation. Standardized protocols and large-scale, multiethnic validation studies are essential to optimize VFVs clinical impact. Its incorporation into routine risk assessment can support personalized prevention strategies and inform public health efforts. This review highlights the utility of CT derived VFV as a predictive biomarker for MetS in middle-aged adults and compares its efficacy with traditional anthropometric indices.
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Anshu Kumari, Ashish Kumar Shukla, Shivanshu Chauhan (2026) conducted a review in Metabolic Syndrome. Total abdominal visceral fat volume (VFV) on Computed Tomography vs. Body mass index (BMI) or waist circumference was evaluated on Metabolic Syndrome. CT-derived total abdominal visceral fat volume demonstrates stronger predictive capacity for metabolic syndrome in middle-aged adults than traditional indices like BMI or waist circumference.
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