Fifty-seven subjects underwent proton magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy of the second lumbar vertebra to evaluate single-voxel and multivoxel techniques. Measurements included lipid-to-water ratios, lipid fractions, and line width. These data provide information about vertebral fat content. There was an age-dependent linear increase in fat content and sex dependence. A higher fat concentration was found in men. The observed spectra provide a basis for future study to determine clinical utility of vertebral proton MR spectroscopy.