Evolving perspectives on evaluating obesity: from traditional methods to cutting-edge techniques

Objective: This review examines the evolution of obesity evaluation methods, from traditional anthropometric indices to advanced imaging techniques, focusing on their clinical utility, limitations, and potential for personalized assessment of visceral adiposity and associated metabolic risks.Methods...

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Main Authors: Heyue Wang, Yaxin Qin, Jinzhu Niu, Haowen Chen, Xinda Lu, Rui Wang, Jianli Han
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2025-12-01
Series:Annals of Medicine
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/07853890.2025.2472856
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author Heyue Wang
Yaxin Qin
Jinzhu Niu
Haowen Chen
Xinda Lu
Rui Wang
Jianli Han
author_facet Heyue Wang
Yaxin Qin
Jinzhu Niu
Haowen Chen
Xinda Lu
Rui Wang
Jianli Han
author_sort Heyue Wang
collection DOAJ
description Objective: This review examines the evolution of obesity evaluation methods, from traditional anthropometric indices to advanced imaging techniques, focusing on their clinical utility, limitations, and potential for personalized assessment of visceral adiposity and associated metabolic risks.Methods: A comprehensive analysis of existing literature was conducted, encompassing anthropometric indices (BMI, WC, WHR, WHtR, NC), lipid-related metrics (LAP, VAI, CVAI, mBMI), and imaging technologies (3D scanning, BIA, ultrasound, DXA, CT, MRI). The study highlights the biological roles of white, brown, and beige adipocytes, emphasizing visceral adipose tissue (VAT) as a critical mediator of metabolic diseases.Conclusion: Although BMI and other anthropometric measurements are still included in the guidelines, indicators that incorporate lipid metabolism information can more accurately reflect the relationship between metabolic diseases and visceral obesity. At the same time, the use of more modern medical equipment, such as ultrasound, X-rays, and CT scans, allows for a more intuitive assessment of the extent of visceral obesity.
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issn 0785-3890
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publishDate 2025-12-01
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series Annals of Medicine
spelling doaj-art-e3f3ea49b6b146208af858f55ba7f9bf2025-08-20T02:30:23ZengTaylor & Francis GroupAnnals of Medicine0785-38901365-20602025-12-0157110.1080/07853890.2025.2472856Evolving perspectives on evaluating obesity: from traditional methods to cutting-edge techniquesHeyue Wang0Yaxin Qin1Jinzhu Niu2Haowen Chen3Xinda Lu4Rui Wang5Jianli Han6Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, ChinaShanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, ChinaShanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, ChinaShanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, ChinaShanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, ChinaShanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, ChinaShanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, ChinaObjective: This review examines the evolution of obesity evaluation methods, from traditional anthropometric indices to advanced imaging techniques, focusing on their clinical utility, limitations, and potential for personalized assessment of visceral adiposity and associated metabolic risks.Methods: A comprehensive analysis of existing literature was conducted, encompassing anthropometric indices (BMI, WC, WHR, WHtR, NC), lipid-related metrics (LAP, VAI, CVAI, mBMI), and imaging technologies (3D scanning, BIA, ultrasound, DXA, CT, MRI). The study highlights the biological roles of white, brown, and beige adipocytes, emphasizing visceral adipose tissue (VAT) as a critical mediator of metabolic diseases.Conclusion: Although BMI and other anthropometric measurements are still included in the guidelines, indicators that incorporate lipid metabolism information can more accurately reflect the relationship between metabolic diseases and visceral obesity. At the same time, the use of more modern medical equipment, such as ultrasound, X-rays, and CT scans, allows for a more intuitive assessment of the extent of visceral obesity.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/07853890.2025.2472856Obesityvisceral adipose tissue (VAT)anthropometrybody mass index (BMI)Chinese visceral adiposity index (CVAI)
spellingShingle Heyue Wang
Yaxin Qin
Jinzhu Niu
Haowen Chen
Xinda Lu
Rui Wang
Jianli Han
Evolving perspectives on evaluating obesity: from traditional methods to cutting-edge techniques
Annals of Medicine
Obesity
visceral adipose tissue (VAT)
anthropometry
body mass index (BMI)
Chinese visceral adiposity index (CVAI)
title Evolving perspectives on evaluating obesity: from traditional methods to cutting-edge techniques
title_full Evolving perspectives on evaluating obesity: from traditional methods to cutting-edge techniques
title_fullStr Evolving perspectives on evaluating obesity: from traditional methods to cutting-edge techniques
title_full_unstemmed Evolving perspectives on evaluating obesity: from traditional methods to cutting-edge techniques
title_short Evolving perspectives on evaluating obesity: from traditional methods to cutting-edge techniques
title_sort evolving perspectives on evaluating obesity from traditional methods to cutting edge techniques
topic Obesity
visceral adipose tissue (VAT)
anthropometry
body mass index (BMI)
Chinese visceral adiposity index (CVAI)
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/07853890.2025.2472856
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