Abdominal Ultrasonography for Adipose Tissue Measurement

Abdominal ultrasonography was performed on individuals in fasting state using a Logiq 3 Pro equipped with a 3.5 MHz convex-array probe and with a 7.5 MHz linear probe (GE Healthcare, Milwaukee, WI, USA). VAT and SAT thicknesses were measured 1 cm above the umbilicus. The measurements were taken at the end of expiration and applying a standardized probe pressure. SAT, defined as the distance between the epidermis and the external face of the rectus abdominis muscle, was measured with the 7.5 MHz linear probe; VAT, defined as the distance between the anterior wall of the aorta and the posterior surface of the rectus abdominis muscle, was measured with the 3.5 MHz convex-array probe [26 (link), 27 (link)]. Each measurement was taken three times and the mean was calculated.