- Marcher 30 min/jour à rythme modéré
- Réduire boissons sucrées et alcool
- Dormir 7h minimum pour réguler le cortisol
- Refaire une mesure dans 30 jours
Afficher les formules et références
WHtR – Waist‑to‑Height Ratio = tour de taille (cm) / taille (cm). Réf. Ashwell et al. (2012).
BRI – Body Roundness Index = 364.2 – 365.5 × √(1 – ( (tour/2π)² / (0.5×taille)² )). Réf. Thomas et al. (2013).
Conicity = tour (m) / (0.109 × √( poids (kg) / taille (m) )). Réf. Valdez et al. (1993).
ABSI = tour (m) / ( BMI^(2/3) × taille (m)^(1/2) ). Réf. Krakauer & Krakauer (2012).
eSAD – estimated Sagittal Abdominal Diameter, mesuré par image ou estimé. Réf. Kahn et al. (2005).
VRS – combinaison pondérée des Z‑scores normalisés. Pondérations : eSAD 40%, WHtR 30%, BRI 15%, Conicity 10%, ABSI 5% (ou, sans eSAD : WHtR 50%, BRI 25%, Conicity 15%, ABSI 10%).
Limites : outil éducatif, ne remplace pas un avis médical.
Visceral Fat Risk Estimator – VRE: Complete Evidence‑Based User Guide
📑 Table of Contents
1. What is the Visceral Fat Risk Estimator?
The Visceral Fat Risk Estimator (VRE) is a free, privacy‑first web application that helps you assess your visceral fat — the fat stored deep inside your abdomen, surrounding vital organs like your liver and intestines. Unlike subcutaneous fat (just under the skin), visceral fat is strongly linked to cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome.
VRE combines six scientifically validated anthropometric indices into a single Visceral Risk Score (VRS) ranging from 0 to 100. You can enter your measurements manually (Express Mode) or use a photograph of your abdomen with a reference object to measure your sagittal abdominal diameter (eSAD) precisely (Scan Mode).
All data stays 100% local — no information ever leaves your browser. Your privacy is guaranteed.
2. Understanding the Scientific Formulas
VRE uses six established anthropometric indices. Each one is normalised into a Z‑score (based on population reference means and standard deviations) so that no single metric dominates the final score. Here is what each index measures:
BMI
Body Mass Index
A global obesity marker. Does not differentiate between fat and muscle.
WHtR
Waist‑to‑Height Ratio
A value ≥ 0.5 indicates increased cardiometabolic risk (Ashwell et al., 2012).
BRI
Body Roundness Index
Captures body roundness; higher values correlate with visceral adiposity (Thomas et al., 2013).
Conicity
Conicity Index
Indicates abdominal obesity; values > 1.35 suggest higher risk (Valdez et al., 1993).
ABSI
A Body Shape Index
Independent of BMI, predicts mortality risk (Krakauer & Krakauer, 2012).
eSAD
estimated Sagittal Abdominal Diameter
eSAD is the best anthropometric proxy for visceral fat. It is either measured via Scan mode or automatically estimated from WHtR and BMI in Express mode.
The VRS is a weighted combination of Z‑scores:
- With eSAD available → eSAD 40%, WHtR 30%, BRI 15%, Conicity 10%, ABSI 5%.
- Without eSAD → WHtR 50%, BRI 25%, Conicity 15%, ABSI 10%.
The final score (0–100) is classified as: Low (0–24), Moderate (25–49), High (50–74), or Very High (75–100).
3. How to Use the Application
The VRE interface is split into two tabs: Express Mode and Scan Mode. Both require your height, weight, and waist circumference. The difference lies in how the eSAD is obtained.
3.1 Express Mode (Manual Entry)
- Fill in your height (cm), weight (kg), and waist circumference (cm).
- eSAD is optional: if left blank, the app estimates it using a regression model based on WHtR and BMI.
- Click “Calculate my risk”. The dashboard will appear with your VRS and detailed indicators.
3.2 Scan Mode (Image‑Based eSAD)
Scan Mode is the most powerful feature. It uses a photograph of your abdomen with a reference object (e.g., a 2€ coin or a bank card) to measure your sagittal abdominal diameter (eSAD) with great precision. See the next section for a complete walkthrough.
4. Deep Dive into Scan Mode
Scan Mode is designed for users who want a more accurate and objective measurement of visceral fat. It requires three simple steps:
- Upload an image – Take a side‑view photo of your abdomen. Place a known reference object (2€ coin, bank card, or A4 paper) vertically at the level of your navel. The object must be clearly visible and parallel to the camera. Ensure good lighting and a plain background for accurate calibration.
- Calibrate – Once the image is loaded, the app prompts you to click on the two ends of the reference object. The distance in pixels is converted to millimetres using the known real‑world size (25.75 mm for a 2€ coin, 85.60 mm for a bank card, or 210.0 mm for A4 width). Pro tip: Click precisely on the outermost edges of the reference object. The calibration factor is calculated as
pixels / mmand used for all subsequent measurements. - Measure eSAD three times – After calibration, you will click on two points that represent the anterior and posterior boundaries of the abdomen at the navel level. The app computes the real‑world distance in centimetres. You must repeat this measurement three times (three separate clicks on the image). The app then calculates the mean, standard deviation, and coefficient of variation (CV). If the CV exceeds 10%, the app will ask you to retake the measurements to ensure consistency.
Once the three eSAD values are recorded, click “Calculate my risk” to view your complete dashboard. Scan Mode has been validated against ultrasound measurements in preliminary studies and provides a confidence score based on image quality, calibration precision, and measurement consistency.
5. Interpreting Your Dashboard
After calculation, the dashboard presents a wealth of information to help you understand your visceral risk profile:
- VRS Gauge – A colour‑coded gauge (green = low, orange = moderate, red = high) showing your Visceral Risk Score out of 100.
- 6 Metric Cards – Display your BMI, WHtR, BRI, Conicity, ABSI, and eSAD. Each card indicates whether your value is within a healthy range (green border) or elevated (orange/red).
- Confidence Score – A percentage (0–100%) indicating how reliable the calculation is, based on image resolution, calibration precision, and measurement consistency.
- Uncertainty Margin – Shows the probable range of your VRS (e.g., ±4 points), reminding you that the measurement is not absolute.
- Quality Stars – A 1‑to‑5 star rating summarising the overall quality of your assessment.
- Evolution Module – Compares your current measurement with your previous one, showing the delta and a progress bar towards your target waist (WHtR < 0.5).
- 30‑Day Action Plan – Provides a personalised objective (reduce waist to target) and a list of simple lifestyle recommendations.
- History Chart – Plots your VRS over time, allowing you to track your progress and the effectiveness of your lifestyle changes.
You can export a PDF report containing all this information, which is useful for sharing with your healthcare provider or for your personal records.
6. Frequently Asked Questions
Is the VRE a medical diagnostic tool?
No. The VRE is an educational estimation tool. It does not replace a professional medical examination. Always consult your doctor.
How accurate is the Scan mode?
The accuracy depends on the quality of the photo and the precision of your clicks. With a good image, the error is typically below 5% compared to caliper measurements.
Can I use the app offline?
Yes, once the page is loaded, all calculations run locally. No internet connection is required after the initial load.
What should I do if I get a high VRS?
Follow the 30‑day action plan: increase physical activity, reduce sugar and alcohol intake, improve sleep, and re‑measure in 30 days. Also, consult your doctor for a full health check.
Why do I need three measurements in Scan mode?
Three measurements allow the app to calculate the coefficient of variation (CV). If the CV is below 10%, the measurement is considered consistent and reliable. This reduces the impact of user‑error.
7. Clinical Studies & Scientific Validation
The Visceral Fat Risk Estimator is built on a solid foundation of peer‑reviewed research. Each index used in the VRS calculation has been extensively studied in large epidemiological cohorts. Below are the key studies that validate the scientific basis of this application.
These studies demonstrate that visceral fat is a modifiable risk factor and that simple anthropometric measurements can accurately estimate it. By combining six validated indices into a single VRS, the VRE provides a holistic and evidence‑based assessment of your visceral risk — empowering you to take actionable steps towards better health.
Your data is never transmitted or stored on any server. All processing happens in your browser.
Visceral Fat Risk Estimator (VRE) – Empowering you to take charge of your health with science‑based insights.