Impact of Abdominal and Thigh Intermuscular Adipose Tissue on Glucose and Cardiometabolic Risk in Adults With Obesity
An erratum to this article was published (J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 18 Dec 2025 ↗)
Authors' conclusion
These findings emphasize the importance of distinguishing between adipose tissue depots when evaluating cardiometabolic risk, as specific accumulation patterns-particularly in the mid-thigh region-may significantly influence individual risk profiles.
Study context
- Population
- Adults with overweight or obesity (50% women; age 46.8 ± 6.3 years; BMI 32.9 ± 3.5 kg/m²), outpatient clinic
- Participants
- 189 adults
- Exposure
- Abdominal vs mid-thigh intermuscular adipose tissue (IMAT) in relation to glucose and cardiometabolic risk
- Outcome
- Mean glucose levels by CGM (24-hour, 14 days) and cardiometabolic risk score (HDL-C, TG, glucose, waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressure), in relation to MRI-measured abdominal and mid-thigh IMAT
Methodological detailsmulticentre
- Multicentre
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
- Abdominal IMAT: no association with glucose homeostasis or cardiometabolic risk
- all P > .05
- Mid-thigh IMAT vs 24-hour mean glucose
- β = 0.226; P = .007
- Mid-thigh IMAT vs diurnal mean glucose
- β = 0.224; P = .008
- Mid-thigh IMAT vs nocturnal mean glucose
- β = 0.233; P = .006
- Mid-thigh IMAT vs cardiometabolic risk score
- β = 0.324; P < .001
- Greater mid-thigh than abdominal IMAT accumulation: significantly higher mean glucose and cardiometabolic risk
- all P < .005
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Original publication
Impact of Abdominal and Thigh Intermuscular Adipose Tissue on Glucose and Cardiometabolic Risk in Adults With Obesity. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. Published 12 July 2025. doi:10.
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