We also extend the observations of a marked sexual dimorphism that have been made using primarily anthropometric measurements to CT-imaged fat depots. It is well-known that in women as compared with men, VAT levels are relatively lower, and SAT levels are higher [42]. This gender difference underscores the need to consider women and men separately in assessing the genetic architecture of fat distribution. We also note that our most significant SNP at the LYPLAL1 locus was associated with the VAT/SAT ratio in both women and men as compared to only WHR in GIANT [32], while the lead SNP identified in GIANT demonstrated some evidence for heterogeneity by sex with the VAT/SAT ratio. Taken together, these findings highlight the potential differences in directly-imaged fat distribution traits as compared to anthropometric data.
