Adipose Tissue Elastography, Anthropometric Parameters and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Obese Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Obesity is recognized as a significant global health crisis, with over a third of the world's population affected, posing severe health and economic challenges. Objectives: To investigate the differences in subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) characteristics, specifically thickness and stiffness, between young (20-39 years) and middle-aged (40-59 years) obese individuals and examine sex-specific variations and associations with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Methods: One hundred obese participants were evaluated using anthropometric measurements (body mass index and waist-height ratio) and ultrasonic shear wave elastography to assess NAFLD and SAT structure across three anatomical sites. Results: Participants in their middle years had stiffer SATs, especially in the upper abdomen and distal triceps. However, there were no significant differences in BMI, waist-to-height ratio, or SAT thickness at the mid-thigh based on age. Additionally, NAFLD prevalence was found in 31 participants, with a notable correlation between its presence and SAT thickness & obesity metrics, although SAT stiffness did not significantly correlate with NAFLD. Conclusions: The dynamic nature of SAT as it relates to aging and sex, emphasizing the need for tailored therapeutic approaches in managing obesity and associated metabolic disorders. According to this study, elastography could be a non-invasive way to check for organ damage due to obesity and could aid in the prediction of NAFLD when combined with routine body measurements. Further research is warranted to refine assessment methodologies and validate anatomical site representativeness.