Fig. 2

Multivariate linear regression models were adjusted for age, sex, weight changes, and the three intervention groups. We aimed to identify the independent associations between the changes in abdominal fat depots and biomarkers in multivariate models, adjusted for age, sex, intervention group, and weight loss. While VAT loss was independently associated with an improved lipid profile, the deep SAT loss was independently and significantly associated with beneficial glycemic biomarkers during the intervention (p < 0.05 for all). The association between changes in blood biomarkers and reduction in abdominal fat subdepots is presented by the β standardized coefficient. *p < 0.05 considered statistically significant. HDL-c, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol; HOMA-IR, homeostatic model of insulin resistance; LDL-c, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol