Adipose tissue and metabolic effects: new insight into measurements.

BACKGROUND: Epidemiologic evidence supports the theory that the relation between obesity and disease risk begins early in life, and those risk factors for disease track, or remain at a similar level, with advancing age, growth, and development. The fat tissue, once considered as a depot for energy substrate, is a metabolically active tissue. The fat cells produce agents that regulate a host of physiological processes directly related to carbohydrate and fat metabolism and the development of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. AIM: To discuss fat tissue, and fat distribution in relation to body composition measurements, with particular emphasis on imaging techniques (ie, dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)) and its relationship with metabolic and cardiovascular heath variables mediated by the metabolic characteristics of the adipose tissue. DISCUSSION: In sum, the medical and physiological health complications of childhood obesity are well documented. Imaging methods are considered the most accurate means available for in vivo quantification at the tissue-organ level and the methods of choice for calibration of field methods designed to measure adipose tissue.