With the rising epidemic of obesity and related chronic illnesses, it is important to understand the body fat distribution i.e. Intra-abdominal adipose tissue (IAAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) and its clinical implications. Body fat stores and releases energy, but excess abdominal fat and ectopic fat may potentially have harmful effects on various bodily metabolic functions and is also a major metabolic risk factor. This study used magnetic resonance imaging and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy techniques to enable a more precise quantitative measure of the adipose tissue. The study aimed to calculate the reference range for total and regional adipose tissue using anthropometric variables and MRI and MRS scanning methods. A large heterogeneous cohort of 477 volunteers, with no age restriction was recruited. Body mass, height, waist circumference and hip circumference and adipose tissue distribution were measured for each individual taking part in the study. Data suggests that whilst both IAAT and SAT are correlated to metabolic risk factors, IAAT is more strongly associated with an adverse metabolic risk profile after accounting for anthropometric indices.The anthropometric measures which provided the strongest correlation with individual adiposity was body mass index in women and waist circumference in men.