Cadaver-assessed validity of anthropometric indicators of adipose tissue distibution

Although the waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) has emerged as the best anthropometric indicator of the body's adipose tissue distribution, it has never been directly validated. Waist and hip girths, and triceps and subscapular skinfold thickness were measured in 12 male and 13 female cadavers aged 55-94 y. Adipose tissue from the upper limbs, lower limbs, subcutaneous trunk and intra-abdominal regions was then separated by dissection and weighed. Adipose volumes were also determined by hydrostatic weighing. The following adipose tissue mass ratios ( and corresponding volume ratios) were derived: trunk to sum of lower limbs, trunk to sum of upper and lower limbs, intra-abdominal to sum of lower limbs and intra-abdominal to sum of upper and lower limbs. Centrality index (CI-subscapular-to-triceps skinfold ratio) and WHR were regressed on the tissue mass and volume ratios of the 25 cadavers. WHR was significantly related to mass and volume ratios for the 12 men (R-2=36.0-57.5%, P