PC-O 44:6—a biomarker for visceral adiposity

1. A method of diagnosing the effect of a change in lifestyle on visceral adiposity in a subject, comprising:

determining a level of 1-0-alkyl-2-acylglycerophosphocholine (PC-O) 44:6 in a body fluid sample obtained from a subject after a change in lifestyle, and

comparing the subject's PC-O 44:6 level to a predetermined reference value,

wherein the predetermined reference value is based on a PC-O 44:6 level in the same body fluid obtained from the same subject before the change in lifestyle, and

wherein an increased PC-O 44:6 level in the sample compared to the predetermined reference value indicates a positive effect of the change in lifestyle on visceral adiposity.

2. The method in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the change in lifestyle is a change in diet.

3. The method in accordance with claim 2 , wherein the change in diet comprises use of at least one nutritional product that was previously not consumed or consumed in different amounts.

4. The method in accordance with claim 2 , wherein the method serves to detect the effectiveness of a new nutritional regimen.

5. The method in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the level of PC-O 44:6 in the sample and the predetermined reference value are determined by 1 H-NMR and/or mass spectrometry.

6. The method in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the body fluid is blood plasma or serum.

7. The method in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the subject is normal, overweight or obese.

8. The method in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the subject is a human or a companion animal.

9. The method in accordance with claim 8 , wherein the companion animal is a cat or a dog.