Background: Previous studies demonstrated visceral adiposity in 
relation to metabolic disorder may mediate systemic 
inflammation and predict cardiovascular outcomes. However, 
data regarding visceral adipose tissue burden and quality of life or 
physical performance remains largely unknown. 
Methods: We studied participants who underwent non-contrast 
enhanced 16-slice multi-detector cardiac Computed Tomography 
(CT) scanning for cardiovascular health survey. Three
Dimensional (3D) visceral adipose volumes, including both 
Pericardial Fat (PCF) and Thoracic Peri-Aortic Fat (TPAF), were 
obtained. We further related these measures to high sensitivity C
Reactive Protein (hs-CRP) levels and questionnaires regarding 
life quality and physical performance assessments (SF-36).  
Results: Among 306 men (mean age: 49.4 ± 7.6 years) in our 
study, we observed that items of decreased physical functioning 
scoring were significantly associated with both increased PCF (β- coefficient: −4.20, P = 0.010) and TPAF (β-coefficient: −2.86, P 
=0.036). Interestingly, these associations remained unchanged 
even after adjusting for clinical variables and hs-CRP (both 
p<0.05). 
Conclusion: Increased pericardial and thoracic aortic fat burden 
may play a role via multiple potential mechanisms in worsening 
physical function, which may be less relevant to common 
cardiovascular disease pathophysiologies related to systemic 
inflammation.