Changes in the Visceral Adiposity Index (VAI) Among Obese Older Adults After a 12-Month Exercise and Diet Intervention

Abstract Objectives The Visceral Adiposity Index (VAI) was developed to estimate adipose tissue dysfunction as well as visceral fat distribution. In an ancillary analysis of the CROSSROADS Study (clinicaltrials.gov #NCT00955903), this study investigated the effects of exercise with and without intentional energy restriction on VAI changes among older adults with obesity. Methods Participants (n = 163, 37.4% male, 70.3 ± 4.7 years) were randomized to the following groups: exercise only, exercise + nutrient-dense weight maintenance diet, and exercise + nutrient-dense energy restriction of 500 kcal/d. Visceral adiposity determined by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), anthropometrics, and cardiometabolic biomarkers were assessed at baseline and 12 months. Waist circumference, body mass index, triglycerides, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol were used to compute VAI at both time points. Data were analyzed utilizing Spearman's correlations and general linear models to determine differences among groups following adjustment for covariates. Results Among all participants, significant correlations were observed between VAI and glucose, insulin, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and the adiponectin: leptin ratio at baseline (r = 0.343, P < 0.001; r = 0.363, P < 0.001; r = 0.200, P = 0.011; r = −0.246, P = 0.002, respectively). DXA and MRI measures of visceral adiposity were not significantly correlated with VAI. Upon completion of the 12-month study period, there were significant differences in VAI among groups [F (2,137) = 5.957, P = 0.003)]. Post hoc analysis revealed that VAI was significantly lower in the exercise + nutrient-dense energy restriction group compared to the exercise only group (P = 0.002). Conclusions Results suggest that VAI may be an adequate measure of adipose tissue dysfunction, yet its ability to estimate levels of visceral adiposity warrants further investigation to determine clinical utility. Nonetheless, results suggest that an exercise + nutrient-dense energy restriction intervention may reduce VAI among older adults with obesity. Funding Sources NIH.