Standardized Abdominal Fat Measurement

VAT and SAT were measured by the same operator following a validated standardized protocol [25 (link)] and using a Logiq 3 Pro system for abdominal ultrasonography equipped with a 3.5 MHz convex-array probe and a 7.5 MHz linear probe (GE Healthcare, Milwaukee, WI, USA). VAT was measured as the distance between the posterior surface of the rectus abdominis muscle and the anterior wall of the aorta at the level of linea alba, and SAT was measured as the distance between the external face of the rectus abdominis muscle and the epidermis. Both VAT and SAT were determined three times, one centimetre above the umbilicus, and a mean measurement was computed. The intra-operator coefficient of variation for repeated VAT and SAT measurements in our laboratory is 0.8%. VAT to SAT ratio was also calculated.