根據一項最新研究發現，單層核磁共振掃描(MRI)是一種快速非侵入性鑒別腹腔內脂肪的方法，腹腔內脂肪過度沉積會導致兒童和青少年患心臟病、糖尿病和其它疾病的危險增高。

當前使用的測定身體脂肪的方法包括人體測量學，使用物理測量方法諸如腰圍，腹部長度，體重指數，二重能量吸收測量(DEXA)，這是一種全身掃描，能夠區分機體非脂肪組織和脂肪組織。但是人體測量學并不精確，而DEXA需要暴露于例子輻射之中。

MRI Reveals Hidden Fat in Adolescents
 
According to a new study, single-slice magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a fast, non-invasive way to identify intra-abdominal fat, which when excessive, may place children and teenagers at risk for developing heart disease, diabetes, and other disorders.

Current methods used to estimate body fat include anthropometry, which involves physical measurements including waist circumference, abdominal height, and body mass index, and dual energy absorptiometry (DEXA), a whole-body scan that differentiates lean mass from fat tissue. However, anthropometry is inexact and DEXA requires exposure to ionizing radiation.