Sagittal Abdominal Diameter

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The term Sagittal Abdominal Diameter (SAD) is a measure of Visceral Obesity^[1]. In layman's terms, this is the size of one's belly. More specifically, SAD represents the distance from one's back to one's upper abdomen, midway between the top of the pelvis and the bottom of the ribs, measured while standing^[2].

Apparently, the definition is also called Supine Abdominal Height^[1]

As the name implies, this SAD measurement is taken in the supine position. While in this position, the height of the abdomen is measured.^[3] This method is easier, but due to gravity, the result will be slightly lower than the standing result.

For persons of normal BMI, SAD should be under 25 cm (10 inches). The amount this measurement exceeds 30 cm (12 inches) correlates to increased cardiovascular risk and insulin resistance.^[4] SAD measure of men in their 40s, greater than 25 cm, also predicts significantly higher risk of Alzheimer's disease 30 years later.^[5]

[edit] See also

• Central obesity
• Waist-hip ratio
• Body mass index (BMI)
• Body volume index
• Body fat percentage

[edit] Notes

1. ^ ^{a b} Paddock, Catharine (2006-12-28). "Belly Size Predicts Heart Disease Better Than Obesity". Medical News Today. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/healthnews.php?newsid=59852. Retrieved 2007-01-04. 
2. ^ Perry, Brian (2008-03-26). "Big Bellies Spell 42-44% Bigger Heart Risk". [1]. http://www.drbrianperry.com/news-health/big-bellies-spell-42-44-bigger-heart-risk/. Retrieved 2008-03-26. 
3. ^ Ulf Risérus, Johan Ärnlöv, Kerstin Brismar, Björn Zethelius, Lars Berglund, Bengt Vesby "Sagittal Abdominal Diameter Is a Strong Anthropometric Marker of Insulin Resistance and Hyperproinsulinemia in Obese Men" Diabetes Care 2004, 27(8):2041-2046. [2]
4. ^ Helena Petersson, Achraf Daryani, Ulf Risérus "Sagittal abdominal diameter as a marker of inflammation and insulin resistance..." Cardiovascular Diabetology 2007, 6:10 [3]
5. ^ R. A. Whitmer, D. R. Gustafson, E. Barrett-Connor , M. N. Haan E. P. Gunderson , K. Yaffe "Central obesity and increased risk of dementia more than three decades later" NEUROLOGY March 2008; 71:1057-1064 [4]