scholarly journals Body Composition Characteristics of a Load-Capacity Model: Age-Dependent and Sex-Specific Percentiles in 5- to 17-Year-Old Children

Obesity Facts ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 593-603
Author(s):  
Isabel Gätjens ◽  
Steffen Christian Ekkehard Schmidt ◽  
Sandra Plachta-Danielzik ◽  
Anja Bosy-Westphal ◽  
Manfred James Müller

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Body composition assessment is superior to the use of body mass index (BMI) to characterize the nutritional status in pediatric populations. For data interpretation, suitable reference data are needed; hence, we aimed to generate age-dependent and sex-specific body composition reference data in a larger population of children and adolescents in Germany. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> This is a cross-sectional study on a representative group of 15,392 5- to 17-year-old children and adolescents. Body composition was assessed by bioelectrical impedance analysis using a population-specific algorithm validated against air displacement plethysmography. Age- and sex-specific percentiles for BMI, fat mass index (FMI), fat-free mass index (FFMI), and a “load-capacity model” (characterized by the ratios of fat mass [FM]/ fatt-free mass [FFM] and FM/FFM<sup>2</sup>) were modeled using the LMS method. <b><i>Results:</i></b> BMI, FMI, FFMI, FM/FFM, and FM/FFM<sup>2</sup> curves showed similar shapes between boys and girls with steady increases in BMI, FMI, and FFMI, while FM/FFM<sup>2</sup>-centiles decreased during early childhood and adolescence. Sex differences were observed in FMI and FM/FFM percentiles with increases in FMI up to age 9 years followed by a steady decrease in FM/FFM during and after puberty with a fast-growing FFMI up to age 17 in boys. The prevalence of low FFM relative to FM reached more than 60% in overweight children and adolescents. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> These pediatric body composition reference data enable physicians and public health scientists to monitor body composition during growth and development and to interpret individual data. The data point out to an early risk of sarcopenia in overweight children and adolescents.

Author(s):  
Mario Kasović ◽  
Lovro Štefan ◽  
Boris Neljak ◽  
Vilko Petrić ◽  
Damir Knjaz

Fat mass and fat-free mass have become useful clinical indices in determining healthy growth and physical development during critical periods of childhood and adolescence; however, despite a wide range of nutritional surveillance its study is limited by a lack of reference data. The purpose of this study was to establish sex-specific and age-specific standards for fat mass and fat-free mass in a large sample of Croatian children and adolescents. In this cross-sectional study, we collected data from 12,678 participants aged 11 to 18 years old (mean age ± standard deviation (SD): 14.17 ± 2.25 years; height 164.56 ± 11.31 cm; weight: 57.45 ± 13.73 kg; body mass index: 21.24 ± 3.67 kg/m2; 53% girls). Fat mass and fat-free mass were measured three times by bioelectrical impedance. The Lambda, Mu and Sigma methods were used to create percentile charts for fat mass index (FMI) and fat-free mass index (FFMI; fat mass and fat-free mass divided by height2). Sex and age differences were calculated using an analysis of variance (ANOVA) with post hoc comparisons. Boys had lower FMI (from 2.66 to 3.89) and higher FFMI values (from 16.90 to 17.80) in all age groups, compared to girls (for FMI from 2.79 to 5.17 and for FFMI from 14.50 to 14.90, p < 0.001). In boys, FMI slightly declined until the age of 14, after which an increase from the age of 15 to 18 was observed. In girls, FMI gradually increased from the age of 11 to 18 (p < 0.001). In general, FFMI increased by age in boys [F(7,5440) = 52.674, p < 0.001], while girls had more stable FFMI across all age groups [F(7,7222) = 2.728, p = 0.057]. The newly established sex-specific and age-specific reference data could be used for national surveillance and to screen for children and adolescents with high FMI and low FFMI.


2014 ◽  
Vol 18 (7) ◽  
pp. 1245-1254 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mario Siervo ◽  
Carla M Prado ◽  
Emily Mire ◽  
Stephanie Broyles ◽  
Jonathan CK Wells ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectiveFat mass (FM) and fat-free mass (FFM) are frequently measured to define body composition phenotypes. The load–capacity model integrates the effects of both FM and FFM to improve disease-risk prediction. We aimed to derive age-, gender- and BMI-specific reference curves of load–capacity model indices in an adult population (≥18 years).DesignCross-sectional study. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to measure FM, FFM, appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM) and truncal fat mass (TrFM). Two metabolic load–capacity indices were calculated: ratio of FM (kg) to FFM (kg) and ratio of TrFM (kg) to ASM (kg). Age-standardised reference curves, stratified by gender and BMI (<25·0 kg/m2, 25·0–29·9 kg/m2, ≥30·0 kg/m2), were constructed using an LMS approach. Percentiles of the reference curves were 5th, 15th, 25th, 50th, 75th, 85th and 95th.SettingSecondary analysis of data from the 1999–2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).SubjectsThe population included 6580 females and 6656 males.ResultsThe unweighted proportions of obesity in males and females were 25·5 % and 34·7 %, respectively. The average values of both FM:FFM and TrFM:ASM were greater in female and obese subjects. Gender and BMI influenced the shape of the association of age with FM:FFM and TrFM:ASM, as a curvilinear relationship was observed in female and obese subjects. Menopause appeared to modify the steepness of the reference curves of both indices.ConclusionsThis is a novel risk-stratification approach integrating the effects of high adiposity and low muscle mass which may be particularly useful to identify cases of sarcopenic obesity and improve disease-risk prediction.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 2272
Author(s):  
Kai Ushio ◽  
Yukio Mikami ◽  
Hiromune Obayashi ◽  
Hironori Fujishita ◽  
Kouki Fukuhara ◽  
...  

Decreased muscle-to-fat mass ratio (MFR) is associated with pediatric nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and may reduce muscular fitness. Regular exercise in sports clubs has not led to reductions in obesity in children and adolescents; they may have decreased MFR. Decreased MFR could cause reduced muscular fitness, which may put them at risk for NAFLD development. We investigated whether MFR is related to muscular fitness and serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), to determine whether MFR could be used to screen for NAFLD in children and adolescent boys belonging to sports clubs. Altogether, 113 participants (aged 7–17 years) who underwent body composition, laboratory, and muscular fitness measurements during a medical checkup were divided into tertiles according to their MFR. Lower extremity muscular fitness values were significantly decreased in the lowest MFR tertile (p < 0.001); conversely, serum ALT levels were significantly increased (p < 0.01). Decreased MFR significantly increased the risk of elevated ALT, which requires screening for NAFLD, after adjusting for age, obesity, muscular fitness parameters, and metabolic risk factors (odds ratio = 8.53, 95% confidence interval = 1.60–45.6, p = 0.012). Physical fitness and body composition assessments, focusing on MFR, can be useful in improving performance and screening for NAFLD in children and adolescents exercising in sports clubs.


2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yang Niu ◽  
Xue-lin Zhao ◽  
Hui-juan Ruan ◽  
Xiao-meng Mao ◽  
Qing-ya Tang

Abstract Background Current adult studies suggest that uric acid (UA) is associated with body fat, but the relationship in obese children is unclear. Thus, we aim to evaluate the association between uric acid and body composition of obese children. Methods A total of 79 obese children were included in this study, and 52 children (34 boys and 18 girls) underwent a 6-week weight loss camp, including 34 boys and 18 girls. Six-week weight-loss interventions were performed on all participants through aerobic exercise and appropriate dietary control. Laboratory tests and body composition were collected before and after the intervention. Results Before the intervention, correlation analysis demonstrated that uric acid was positively correlated with height, weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, hip circumference, fat mass (FM), and free fat mass (FFM) with adjusting for age and gender (P < 0.05). After 6 weeks of intervention, the participants gained 3.12 ± 0.85 cm in height, body fat percentage decreased by 7.23 ± 1.97%, and lost 10.30 ± 2.83 kg in weight. Univariate and multivariate analysis indicated that uric acid at baseline was associated with FM reduction during weight loss (P < 0.05). Conclusions This study is the first report that uric acid is associated with BMI and FM, and may play an important role in the reduction of FM during weight loss in obese children and adolescents. The interaction between UA and adiposity factors and its underlying mechanisms need to be further explored. Trial registration This study was registered in Clinical Trials.gov (NCT03490448) and approved by the Ethics Committee of Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine.


2003 ◽  
Vol 62 (2) ◽  
pp. 521-528 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. C. K. Wells

Body composition in children is of increasing interest within the contexts of childhood obesity, clinical management of patients and nutritional programming as a pathway to adult disease. Energy imbalance appears to be common in many disease states; however, body composition is not routinely measured in patients. Traditionally, clinical interest has focused on growth or nutritional status, whereas more recent studies have quantified fat mass and lean mass. The human body changes in proportions and chemical composition during childhood and adolescence. Most of the weight gain comprises lean mass rather than fat. In general, interest has focused on percentage fat, and less attention has been paid to the way in which lean mass varies within and between individuals. In the general population secular trends in BMI have been widely reported, indicating increasing levels of childhood obesity, which have been linked to reduced physical activity. However, lower activity levels may potentially lead not only to increased fatness, but also to reduced lean mass. This issue merits further investigation. Diseases have multiple effects on body composition and may influence fat-free mass and/or fat mass. In some diseases both components change in the same direction, whereas in other diseases, the changes are contradictory and may be concealed by relatively normal weight. Improved techniques are required for clinical evaluations. Both higher fatness and reduced lean mass may represent pathways to an increased risk of adult disease.


2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (10) ◽  
pp. 347 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robinson Ramírez-Vélez ◽  
Mikel Izquierdo ◽  
Jorge Correa-Bautista ◽  
Alejandra Tordecilla-Sanders ◽  
María Correa-Rodríguez ◽  
...  

Paediatric non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is considered the most common early driver of chronic liver disease. The aim of this study was to examine whether grip strength moderates the association between anthropometric and body composition parameters and controlled attenuation parameter (CAP), an indicator of fat deposits in the liver, in children and adolescents with excess of adiposity. A total of 127 adolescents (67% girls) aged between 11 and 17, attending two public schools in Bogotá (Colombia), who had an axiological evaluation of obesity were included in this study. A grip strength test was assessed as an indicator of muscular strength, and cardiorespiratory fitness by maximal oxygen uptake was assessed using the 20 m shuttle-run test. Waist circumference (WC), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), fat mass, and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) (cm3) were included as anthropometric and body composition measures. CAP was determined with a FibroScan® 502 Touch device (Echosens, Paris, France). The anthropometric and body composition parameters including WC, WHtR, fat mass, and VAT were positively associated with the CAP (range β = 0.423 to 0.580), slightly reduced after being adjusted for handgrip strength/weight. The Johnson-Neyman technique revealed a significant inverse relationship between WC, WHtR, VAT, and CAP when grip strength normalized by body mass was above but not equal to or below 0.475 (8.1% of the sample), 0.469 (8.9% of the sample), and 0.470 (8.5% of the sample), respectively. In conclusion, grip strength adjusted by body mass, has a moderating effect on the association between anthropometric and body composition parameters (including WC, WHtR, and VAT) and CAP in in children and adolescents with excess of adiposity, suggesting the importance of promoting muscular strength during paediatric population in order to prevent NAFLD.


2019 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda M. O'Keeffe ◽  
Abigail Fraser ◽  
Laura D. Howe

Correlations of body composition with height vary by age and sex during childhood. Standard approaches to accounting for height in measures of body composition (dividing by height (in meters)2) do not take this into account. Using measures of total body mass (TBM), fat mass (FM) and fat free mass (FFM) at ages nine, 11, 13, 15 and 18 years from a longitudinal UK cohort study (ALSPAC), we calculated indices of body composition at each age by dividing measures by height (in meters)2. We then produced age-and sex-specific powers of height using allometric regressions and calculated body composition indices by dividing measures by height raised to these powers. TBM, FM and FFM divided by height2 were correlated with height up-to age 11 in females. In males, TBM and FM divided by height2 were correlated with height up-to age 15 years while FM divided by height2 was correlated with height up-to age 11 years. Indices of body composition using age-and sex-specific powers were not correlated with height at any age. In early life, age-and sex-specific powers of height, rather than height in meters2, should be used to adjust body composition for height when measures of adiposity/mass independent of height are required.


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