• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.8-14
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• 2012

The purpose of this study was to evaluate how much effect to accuracy when measuring abdominal fat by Computed Tomography (CT) under different respiration movements. The study volunteer composed of 66 normal adults ($50.4{\pm}11.2$ years, 33 males, 33 females). We measured their obesity by using Broca index, body mass index (BMI) and CT and have investigated the correlation. The CT scanning for the obesity measurement have done in two ways, one was done in stopping breath after exhaling and the other was holding a breath after inhaling. The results showed no statistically significant difference among the three measuring techniques. And, the error in two ways of inhaling and exhaling was showed 24.2% of volunteers. The two ways of respiration movements made different result in visceral fat area (P = 0.044), subcutaneous fat area (P = 0.636) and abdominal obesity value (P = 0.012). This study demonstrates that the two ways of respiration movements when scanning CT makes change in accuracy in visceral fat area, and in abdominal obesity quantitative measure. Therefore, our study suggests that CT should take twice in two ways while a patient stops breath after exhaling and holds a breath after inhaling when measuring abdominal obesity using CT equipments.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.279-284
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• 2005

Uncoupling protein-1 (UCP-1) plays a major role in thermogenesis, and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of obesity and metabolic disorders. The aim of this study was to estimate the effects of A-3826G polymorphism of UCP-1 gene on body fat distribution. Two hundred forty eight Korean female overweight subjects with BMI more than 25 kgfm2 participated in this study. The areas of abdominal subcutaneous and visceral fat of all subjects were measured from computed tomography cross sectional pictures of the umbilical region. Subcutaneous fat areas of upper and lower thigh were also measured. Body composition was measured by bio-impedance analysis, and serum concentrations of biochemical parameters, such as glucose, triglyceride, cholesterol etc, were also measured. Genotype of UCP-1 was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) method. The frequencies of UCP-1 genotypes were AA type; $27.8\%,\;AG\;type;\;51.2\%\;and\;GG\;type;\;21.0\%,$ and the frequency of G allele was 0.47. Body weight, BMI, WHR, SBP, DBP and body compositions were not significantly different by UCP-1 genotype. Abdominal visceral fat area was significantly higher in AG and GG type compared with AA type (p=0.009), but subcutaneous fat areas were not significantly different by UCP-1 genotype. Among biochemical parameters, LDL cholesterol level was significantly higher in GG type compared with AA and AG types (p=0.033). Among all subjects, 121 subjects finished 1 month weight loss program containing hypocaloric diet and exercise. The reduction of body weight and BMI were lower in GG type compared with AA/AG type even though statistical significances were not found (p > 0.05). These results suggest that UCP-1 genotype has a significant effect on visceral fat accumulation among Korean female overweight subjects with BMI more than $25\;kg/m^2$.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.261-273
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• 2009

Objectives : This study was performed to figure out the effects of herbal mesotherapy on abdominal fat in obese women. Methods : Forty obese women those who were diagnosed abdominal obesity had been recruited during February, 2008. They were randomly assigned experimental or control group under block-randomization. Experimental group were treated with Sobi-eum(Xiaofei-yin) injection during 6 weeks (2 times a week) and placebo group were treated with normal saline injection under same procedures. Anthropometry, body impedance analysis, fat computed tomography, blood test, and questionnaires had been administered before and after the treatment. Results : Four subjects were dropped out (voluntary give up), so 18 in experimental group and 18 in placebo group were evaluated. There were significant changes after treatments in both groups. Although no significant differences have been found in the result of anthropometry, body impedance analysis and fat computed tomography between two groups, in the experimental group, the changes of total fat area had a highly significant relationship with all part of abdominal fat. While the placebo group had highly significant relationships with subcutaneous fat area, superficial and deep subcutaneous fat area but not with visceral fat area. Conclusions : Compaired with saline group, herbal mesotheraphy Sobi-eum(Xiaofei-yin) is effective in reduction of visceral fat after adjusting TFA.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.75-83
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• 2006

Objectives : This study was performed to identify the effects of high frequency therapy on localized obesity. Methods : This trial was carried out in 12 volunteers. Volunteers were divided into 3 groups; upper arm group (n=4), thigh group (n=4) and abdomen group (n=4) according to local obesity type. Body weight and body fat were measured by Inbody 720 and CT (Computed Tomography) immediately before and following high frequency therapy. Diathermy was performed twice a week for 4 weeks for a total of 8 treatments. Results : In the upper arm group, body weight, body fat mass, fat area by CT scan and circumference were increased after treatment but not significantly (p>0.05). In the thigh group, body weight, body fat mass and circumference were decreased and fat area by CT scan was increased but both not significantly (p>0.05). In the abdomen group, significant differences were not found despite decreases in body weight, body fat mass, visceral fat and subcutaneous fat after diathermy (p>0.05). Conclusions : There was no significant effects of high frequency therapy on localized obesity.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.276-283
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• 2005

Purpose : Visceral fat accumulation plays a major role in metabolic complications of obesity. It is known that nonalcoholic fatty liver in obese adults is associated with visceral fat accumulation. Body mass index(BMI) is used as the index of obesity in children. The aim of this study is to evaluate the correlation of BMI and visceral adipose tissue(VAT), and the correlation of BMI, body fat distribution, aminotransferases, and severity of fatty liver. Methods : Twenty three obese children with fatty liver diagnosed by non-contrast abdominal computed tomography(CT) were included in this study. Data on BMI, aminotransferase levels were collected from clinical records. Visceral adipose area was evaluated with CT. Results : BMI had a singnificant correlation with VAT(r=0.51719, P=0.0115). The severity of fatty liver had no significant correlations with BMI(r=-0.11938, P=0.5876), VAT(r=-0.31234, P=0.1468), aspartate aminotransferase(AST)(r=0.12729, P=0.5628) or alanine aminotransferase(ALT)(r=-0.00179, P=0.9935). Conclusion : BMI in obese children was correlated with VAT. But the severity of fatty liver cannot be assessed by BMI, VAT or aminotransferase levels.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.167-179
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• 2011

Objectives: In this study, we used with visceral fat area(VFA)/subcutaneous fat area(SFA) ratio(V/S ratio) and bioelectrical impedence analysis(BIA) for a comparative study between VFA measured from several abdominal computed tomography(CT) images and obesity indexes, such as body mass index(BM), waist circumference(WC), and waist-hip ratio(WHR). Methods: A group of 63 test subjects were gathered in the oriental medical hospital of Kyung-Won university. BIA for body composition and body size for obesity indexes were estimated to evaluate the obesity indexes. Pearson correlation coefficients and regression analysis were used to select useful obesity index. Results: The VFA-CT was significantly related to BMI, SFA, WC, hip circumference(HC), body fat mass(BFM), basal metabolic rate(BMR), and VFA-BIA. Especially, we found that the VFA-BIA and BMI were significantly correlated to VFA-CT. Conclusions: VFA-BIA index is an optimized index for diagnosis and evaluation of obesity. Finally, we found that the BMI is optimized to represent VFA.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.535-546
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• 2010

Purpose: The subcutaneous fat tissue is separated into 2 layers by the subcutaneous fascia: the superficial and deep fat layers. The two fat layers have different structures according to the body regions. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the distribution and pattern of the two fat layers in the human body by computed tomography (CT) and histological analysis according to age, sex, anatomical region, and body mass index (BMI). Methods: This study included 200 males and 200 females who underwent 64-channel dynamic CT in our hospital. The patients were divided into 5 groups according to 10 years of their ages separately in either male or female gender. The thickness of the superficial and deep fat layers was measured in the abdominal, pelvic, and femoral regions, and we analyzed the values. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software. The $3{\times}3$-cm whole fat layers were harvested from the same sites of 3 cadavers for histological examination, and one cadaver was dissected for gross evaluation. Results: The total thickness of subcutaneous fat tissue was greater in females than in males, and the ratio of the superficial fat layer to the whole fat layer was higher in females. The superficial fat layer became thinner with increasing age in males. As BMI increased, the total fat layer became thicker, and the superficial fat layer became thicker than the deep fat layer. On histological examination, the superficial fat layer had small adipose lobules and showed a densely distributed pattern in the abdominal region, whereas in the femoral region, it had large adipose lobules and showed a sparsely distributed pattern. There were no significant differences in the histological findings of the deep fat layer between the 3 body regions. Conclusion: Significant differences in histological findings of the two fat layers were found in relation to age, sex, anatomical region, and BMI. The superficial fat layer became thinner with increasing age in males, but it was constant in females. As BMI increased, the total thickness of subcutaneous fat tissue became greater, and the superficial fat layer became thicker than the deep fat layer. Our measurements can be used to understand the characteristics of the fat layers in relation to age, sex, anatomical region, and BMI.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.47-56
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• 2005

Objectives : This study was performed to investigate the change of bone mineral density(BMD) after 1 month Kirindiet therapy including very low calory diet(VLCD) in middle-aged obese women$(65>age{\geqq}40,\;BMI{\geqq}25)$ under normal $BMD(T-score{\leqq}0)$. Methods : We examined body weight, body fat, protein mass and BMD of 13 middle-aged obese women who visited to Kirin Oriental Hospital from Sep. 7. 2004 to Oct. 12. 2005 before and after 1 month Kirindiet therapy. Body weight, body fat and protein mass was checked by Inbody 4.0 and BMD was checked by quantitated computed tomography. Wilcoxon signed rank test was used for analyzing changes of body weight, body fat, protein mass and BMD before and after treatment. Results : Alter 1 month treatment body weight(-4.89Kg, -6.74%, p=0.001), body fat(-3.47Kg, p=0.001) and protein mass(-0.97Kg, p=0.006) was significantly reduced. BMD was significantly increased in all cases(+4.87mg/cc, +4.16%, p=0.001). Though body weight, body fat and protein mass were significantly reduced, BMD was significantly increased(p<0.01). Conclusions : In this study, we can conclude that after 1 month Kirindiet therapy including VLCD, BMD in middle-aged obese women under normal BMD was significantly increased inspite of reduction of body weight, body fat and protein mass.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2015

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of electroacupuncture for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Methods: A randomized, controlled pilot trial was conducted. Twenty-two participants were randomized into one of the two groups: an acupuncture group (n=11) and wait-list group (n=11). The treatment group received 8 sessions of electroacupuncture over 8 weeks. Twenty points (CV4, CV12, both LR14, GB26, ST25, ST34, ST40, ST36, SP4, SP6, LR3) were selected for needling. The control group did not receive acupuncture treatment during study period and followup were done in the 4th and 8th weeks after randomization in both groups. The primary outcome was body fat computed tomography and the secondary outcomes included blood test (aspartate aminotransferase, alanine transferase, triglyceride, total cholesterol, high density lipoproteincholesterol, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol, blood sugar test, ${\gamma}$-guanosine triphosphate) and body composition test (body mass index, weight, body fat mass, body fat rate, waist hip ratio). Safety was assessed at every visit. Results: There was no significant differences in between the experimental group and control group. There were no adverse events. Conclusions: The results suggest that In patients with NAFLD, electroacupuncture treatment did not induce worsening of liver disease and liver function, but it was no improvement symptoms of fatty liver. Study of herb medicine treatments and other acupuncture therapy of NAFLD are required later.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.128-135
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• 2010

Obesity was characterized in Korean elementary students using different obesity assessment tests on 103 overweight elementary students from three schools of Jeonbuk Province. The body mass index (BMI) and obesity index (OI) were compared, and the data using DEXA and CT were compared with the data using BIA and a tape measure. The results of this study are as follows: first, 27 students who were classified as obese by OI were classified as overweight by BMI, and 3 students who were classified as standard weight by BMI were classified as overweight by OI. Secondly, by DEXA and BIA measurements, there was 1.51% difference in body fat percentage (boys 1.66%, girls 1.17%) and the difference in body fat mass between boys and girls was 0.77 kg (boys 0.85 kg, girls 0.59 kg), but those differences in body fat percentage and mass were not statistically significant. Thirdly, the average total abdominal fat (TAF) measured by CT scans of obese children was more significantly related with subcutaneous fat (r = 0.983, P < 0.01) than visceral fat (r = 0.640, P < 0.01). Also, TAF were highest significant with waist circumference by a tape measure (r = 0.744, P < 0.01). In summary, as there are some differences of assessment results between two obesity test methods (BMI, OI), we need more definite standards to determine the degree of obesity. The BIA seems to be the most simple and effective way to measure body fat mass, whereas waist/hip ratio (WHR) using a tape measurer is considered to be the most effective method for assessing abdominal fat in elementary students.