scholarly journals Ultrasound as a Tool to Assess Body Fat

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dale R. Wagner

Ultrasound has been used effectively to assess body fat for nearly 5 decades, yet this method is not known as well as many other body composition techniques. The purpose of this review is to explain the technical principles of the ultrasound method, explain the procedures for taking a measurement and interpreting the results, evaluate the reliability and validity of this method for measuring subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue, highlight the advantages and limitations of ultrasound relative to other body composition methods, consider its utility to clinical populations, and introduce new body composition-specific ultrasound technology. The focus of this review is adipose, although various tissue thicknesses (e.g., muscle and bone) can be measured with ultrasound. Being a portable imaging device that is capable of making fast regional estimates of body composition, ultrasound is an attractive assessment tool in instances when other methods are limited. Furthermore, much of the research suggests that it is reliable, reproducible, and accurate. The biggest limitations appear to be a lack of standardization for the measurement technique and results that are highly dependent on operator proficiency. New ultrasound devices and accompanying software designed specifically for the purpose of body composition assessment might help to minimize these limitations.

Author(s):  
Serdar Arslan ◽  
Engin Dinç

BACKGROUND: The Functional Movement Screen (FMS) is a clinical assessment tool used to determine musculoskeletal dysfunctions and asymmetries in athletes. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate whether FMS scores differed between elite youth male soccer players with low body fat percentage and those with normal body fat percentage and between those with and without a history of soccer injury. METHODS: Fifty-three elite youth male soccer players were included in the study. The participants’ injury histories were recorded, followed by body composition assessment and FMS tests. The participants were grouped according to body fat percentage and injury history for data analysis. RESULTS: The mean age, weight and height of the participants were 17.11 ± 0.91 years, 68.78 ± 7.41 kg and 1.77 ± 0.57 meters, respectively. Comparisons of the groups according to body fat percentage and injury history revealed no significant differences in FMS scores (p> 0.05). CONCLUSION: Lower body fat percentage did not confer an advantage or disadvantage to elite youth male soccer players in terms of FMS scores FMS scores provide limited information to predict injuries in elite youth male players.


Author(s):  
Darko Stojanović ◽  
Nataša Branković

With the aim to investigate the association between body composition of adolescents and cardiorespiratory fitness, this research was carried out on a sample of seventh grade primary school students (38 female and 44 male students). The sample of measuring instruments for body composition assessment were: body mass index, triceps, subscapularis and suprailiac subcutaneous adipose tissue, body fat percentage, muscle mass percentage and fat-free mass. The “Beep” test was used for the assessment of cardiorespiratory fitness. At the multivariate level the results have shown that body composition, as a system predictor, explained 51% (p= .000) of variance of cardiorespiratory fitness of the total sample of students, 29% (p= .021) of the girls and 51% (p= .000) of the boys. At the univariate level of the total sample it was noticed that the sum of three skinfolds (t= -4.91; p= .000) and fat-free mass (t= 4.54; p= .000) had a high influence on system prediction. The sum of three skinfolds in the total sample, sample of girls and sample of boys had a negative impact on cardiorespiratory fitness. For the girls, body fat percentage had a positive impact on cardiorespiratory fitness, while in the total sample and sample of boys, fat-free mass had a positive impact on cardiorespiratory fitness. It could be concluded that the association between body composition components and VO2max was clearly demonstrated in adolescents.


Author(s):  
Mututho L. N. ◽  
Kiboi W. K. ◽  
Waihenya R. N.

Background: Research has shown that body composition is directly related to health. Altered body composition, can greatly increase the risks of conditions such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis fosters early detection of an improper balance in the body composition, which allows for earlier intervention and prevention.Methods: This was a cross sectional analysis of body composition for adults who volunteered to be screened during a Nutrition week in Kiambu County, Kenya. A total of 301 adults were included in the assessment. Body Mass Index (BMI) and Body composition (body fat %, bone mass, muscle mass, visceral fat and water %) were measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis.Results: The age of the participants ranged from 18-99 years (mean 42.19±16.57 years). Most of the participants were males (53.5%). More than half (53.2%) of the participants had a poor BMI, 37.2% had high total body fat percentage, 12.6% had excess levels of visceral fat and 26.6% had poor water hydration status. Age (OR=0.095; p value <0.001; CI 0.033-0272) and visceral fat (r=0.74; p value <0.001) were significantly associated with the BMI. Females had a significantly higher BMI (P <0.001). Visceral fat was also positively correlated with age: r=0.74; P value <0.001.Conclusions: Sex, age and BMI were important determinants of body composition. Increased physical activity, appropriate dietary practices are crucial in maintaining a healthy BMI and body composition. For timely intervention regular nutrition screening should be promoted among different populations.


1991 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 249-260 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary A. Steinhardt ◽  
Debra J. Macklem

The use of skinfold measurements is a popular method to determine percentage of body fat because of its relative simplicity. Although attention has been paid to its technical accuracy and validity, less consideration has been given to the psychological impact on participants. The purpose of this study was to determine students’ (N = 128) reactions to having skinfold measurements taken in university physical education classes. Skinfold measurements were taken, and a questionnaire administered during the 2nd and 13th weeks of the semester. The questionnaire was used to assess (a) if students were self-conscious or uncomfortable during the measurements, (b) if knowing percent body fat motivated students to exercise, and (c) if the procedure should remain a standard part of class. Descriptive results indicated most students agreed that percent fat measurement was a valuable part of the class. On the pretest, after controlling for sex, regression analysis revealed that percent fat significantly predicted feelings of self-consciousness (R2 =.08; β = .36) and motivation to exercise (R2 = .07; β.24). On the posttest, percent fat again predicted feelings of self-consciousness (R2 = .21; β = .58) but did not predict motivation to exercise. Also, students with greater percent fat felt the body composition assessment should be optional (R2 = .08; β = −.36). Although results of this study support body composition assessment in university health-related activity classes, the need for sensitivity to the emotional needs and privacy of individuals is recommended.


2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 150-159 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew M. Schubert ◽  
Rebekah F. Seay ◽  
Katie K. Spain ◽  
Holly E. Clarke ◽  
James K. Taylor

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela Usuga ◽  
David W McMillan ◽  
Kevin A Jacobs ◽  
Mark S Nash ◽  
Rodrigo J Valderrabano

Abstract Introduction: Following spinal cord injury (SCI) lower extremity bone mineral density (BMD) losses are as high as 40% due to mechanical unloading and autonomic dysfunction. While lumbar spine (LS) BMD appears to be relatively spared, evidence suggests BMD by dual-energy radiographic absorptiometry (DXA) may overlook bone pathology in this region. Trabecular Bone Score (TBS), representative of bone microarchitecture, may be a more informative measurement of LS pathology in SCI. Our objective was to determine differences in BMD and TBS within the LS in humans with and without SCI. Correlation of fitness and body composition measures with TBS and BMD were also explored to determine their role in bone health after SCI. Methods: Seven male participants with paraplegia (level T3 – T7) were recruited through The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, and 6 males without SCI were recruited from local advertisement. DXA scans of the lumbar spine and whole body were performed using Hologic Discovery A densitometer. TBS score (unitless) was derived from L1-L4 scans using TBS iNsight software v3.0.2. A graded arm exercise test directly measured cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2peak) for all subjects. An independent samples t-test determined between-group differences in LS BMD and TBS. Pearson correlation analysis investigated within-group relations among LS BMD, TBS and VO2peak (ml/kg/min), weight (kg), total body fat (%), and visceral adipose tissue (estimated VAT mass(g)). Results: In SCI, the mean duration of injury was 8.6 years. Mean LS BMD was not different (p=.47) between non-injured (1.10 ±0.11 g/cm2) and SCI (1.10 ±0.13 g/cm2) groups. However, mean TBS score was different (p=.053) between non-injured (1.55±0.09) and SCI (1.47±0.07) groups. In non-injured, VO2peak was correlated with LS BMD (r=.356) and TBS (r=.244). In SCI, VO2peak was correlated with LS BMD (r=.111) and TBS (r=.822). In non-injured, TBS was correlated with body mass (r=.244), total body fat (%) (r=.382), and visceral adipose tissue (r=.361). In SCI, negative correlations were observed; TBS was correlated with body mass (r= -.255), total body fat (%) (r= -.474), and visceral adipose tissue (r= -.513). LS BMD was positively correlated with body mass, total body fat (%) and visceral adipose tissue in both non-injured and SCI groups. Conclusion: Men with and without SCI displayed similar BMD but differed in TBS at the LS. Correlations with measures of fitness and body composition were similar for LS BMD but discordant for TBS between non-injured and SCI groups. The data suggest changes in the relationships between cardiorespiratory fitness, metabolism and bone quality in SCI. TBS may capture alterations in bone microarchitecture at the spine after SCI that are undetected by conventional DXA.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agnieszka Adamska ◽  
Anna Popławska-Kita ◽  
Katarzyna Siewko ◽  
Agnieszka Łebkowska ◽  
Anna Krentowska ◽  
...  

ObjectiveWomen with Hashimoto thyroiditis (HT) are characterized by increased incidence of infertility and disturbances in body composition. Serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), which reflects functional ovarian reserve, is decreased in women with HT and it be related to body mass. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relation between serum levels of AMH and body composition in HT compared to control group.Patients and MethodsWe examined 85 euthyroid women: 39 subjects with HT and 46 control women. Body composition was analysed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and with bioimpedance method. Serum concentrations of AMH, leptin, TSH, thyroid hormones were assessed.ResultsWe observed lower serum concentration of AMH in women with HT in comparison to the control group (p=0.01), but without differences in serum concentration of leptin between studied groups (p=0.28). Women with HT were characterized by higher %body fat (p=0.01) estimated with bioimpedance method without differences in BMI, android and gynoid fat mass and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) mass estimated with DXA method when compared to the control group (all p&gt;0.05). We found a negative relationship between serum concentration of AMH and %body fat (r=-0.38,p=0.03) in women with HT. Additionally, in HT group, the relationship between serum levels of AMH and leptin was not statistically significant (r=0.01,p=0.96). We observed a relationship between serum concentration of leptin and BMI, %body fat mass, android, gynoid and VAT mass in HT and in the control group (all p&lt;0.01).ConclusionsWomen with HT are characterized by lower levels of AMH and it is associated with higher fat mass, independently of serum levels of leptin.


2020 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Dorcus Mbithe D Kigaru ◽  
Zipporah W Ndung’u ◽  
Catherine W Macharia-Mutie

Abstract Objective: WHO BMI-for-age z score (BAZ) is widely used in epidemiology, yet it does not distinguish body fat-free mass and fat mass which are better indicators of obesity and related risks. The stable isotope dilution techniques (SIDT) are gold standard methods of assessing body composition. Main objective was to assess significant differences in measurement and validity of WHO BMI-for-age classification for defining childhood obesity by comparing with body fatness using SIDT among schoolchildren. Design: A cross-sectional analytical study. A questionnaire, anthropometry and body composition data were used. SPSS was used to analyse data at P < 0·05 at 95 % CI. Setting: Primary schools in Nairobi City County, Kenya Participants: One hundred seventy-nine schoolchildren aged 8–11 years were randomly sampled. Results: Prevalence of adiposity by reference SIDT (24·0 %) was significantly higher than that of obesity by BAZ > 2 sd (2·8 %) (Wilcoxon test, P < 0·05). Concordance coefficient between SIDT and BAZ > 2 sd in diagnosing obesity was poor (κ = 0·167). Only 11·6 % of children with excess body fat were correctly diagnosed as obese by BAZ > 2 sd. The use of BAZ > 1 sd for overweight and obesity showed fair concordance coefficient (κ = 0·409, P < 0·001) with 32·5% of children with excess fat positively identified as overweight and obese. Conclusion: WHO BMI-for-age cut-off points severely underestimate the prevalence of overweight and obesity compared with body composition assessment by stable isotope dilution techniques. Evidence-informed interventions should be based on more accurate estimates of overweight and obesity than that can be provided by BAZ.


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