MRI was performed using GE Signa HDxt 1.5 tesla magnetic resonance scanner (GE Healthcare, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, USA). The AAT from MRI images was categorized into superficial subcutaneous (sSAT), deep subcutaneous (dSAT) and internal (IAT) compartments (Figure 1 ). sSAT had a clear anatomical outline following the contours of the axial abdominal images. dSAT was located mainly posteriorly and was distinctly separated from sSAT by a fascial plane. IAT was the internal fat including VAT i.e. amount of fat around the internal organs of abdominal cavity, inter-muscular, para-vertebral and intra-spinal fat within the abdominal region.
AAT compartments were segmented using semi-automated approach; with initial automated segmentation by in-house segmentation algorithm using MATLAB 7.13; The MathWorks Inc., Natick, Massachusetts, USA and followed by manual optimization by 2 trained analysts who were blinded to all subject information. The mean inter-observer coefficients of variations (%) were 1.6% for sSAT, 3.2% for dSAT and 2.1% for IAT. The mean intra-observer coefficients of variations (%) were 0.9%, 2.1% and 4.0% for sSAT, dSAT and IAT, respectively. Total AAT volume for each compartment was derived from the sum of its volumes in each slice, from the level of dome of diaphragm to the superior aspect of the sacrum (18 ).
AAT compartments were segmented using semi-automated approach; with initial automated segmentation by in-house segmentation algorithm using MATLAB 7.13; The MathWorks Inc., Natick, Massachusetts, USA and followed by manual optimization by 2 trained analysts who were blinded to all subject information. The mean inter-observer coefficients of variations (%) were 1.6% for sSAT, 3.2% for dSAT and 2.1% for IAT. The mean intra-observer coefficients of variations (%) were 0.9%, 2.1% and 4.0% for sSAT, dSAT and IAT, respectively. Total AAT volume for each compartment was derived from the sum of its volumes in each slice, from the level of dome of diaphragm to the superior aspect of the sacrum (18 ).