Age and BMI have different effects on subcutaneous, visceral, liver, bone marrow, and muscle adiposity, as measured by CT and MRI

Objective We analyzed quantitative computed tomography (CT) and chemical shift–encoded magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data from a Chinese cohort to investigate the effects of BMI and aging on different adipose tissue (AT) depots. Methods In 400 healthy, community‐dwelling individuals aged 22 to 83 years, we used MRI to quantify proton density fat fraction (PDFF) of the lumbar spine (L2–L4) bone marrow AT (BMAT), the psoas major and erector spinae (ES) muscles, and the liver. Abdominal total AT, visceral AT (VAT), and subcutaneous AT (SAT) areas were measured at the L2‐L3 level using quantitative CT. Partial correlation analysis was used to evaluate the relationship of each AT variable with age and BMI. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed in which each AT variable was evaluated in turn as a function of age and the other five independent AT measurements. Results Of the 168 men, 29% had normal BMI (