From body mass index to body composition analysis in diagnostic of childhood obesity

Journal Title: Moldovan Medical Journal - Year 2017, Vol 60, Issue 4

Abstract

Background: The prevalence of obesity increased worldwide in children and adolescents from 1975 to 2016. The recent increase in childhood obesity has led to an interest in the question of which definitions should be used to distinguish the obese child. Body mass index (BMI) was recommended for use in children to assess body weight status. There are several international (World Health Organization, International Obesity Task Force, Center for Disease Control) and national BMI cut-offs references, and it is a major obstacle in studying global secular trends for younger age groups. Moreover, BMI does not distinguish between increased mass in the form of fat, lean tissue or bone, and hence can lead to significant misclassification. The ideal monitoring tool should directly assess adiposity. All available body composition methods in children are indirect. The gold standard for body composition is the four compartment (4-C) model. Although bioelectrical impedance analysis is most susceptible to imprecision when compared with the 4-C model it is the most logical bedside method to apply in children owing to its low cost, noninvasiveness, lack of radiation exposure and ease of use. Conclusions: BMI may produce a significant level of misclassification. Population-based cut-off values for body fat determined by body composition reference methods are the best criterion. Bioelectrical impedance is inexpensive, portable, simple and rapid to use. Further studies to elucidate the relationship among BMI, body fatness, fat distribution, and health risks in children should be followed.

Authors and Affiliations

Elena Dolapciu

Keywords

Related Articles

Limited internal fixation in the distal metaepiphyseal shin fractures

Background: The scientific papers deal with it reporting different treatment technologies for distal tibia metaepiphysis fractures; meanwhile the complication and failure rates remain high. Material and methods: 265 pati...

The stable-functional osteosynthesis of clavicular fractures with external fixator

Background: Over the past two decades has been paid insufficient attention to the treatment of patients with clavicle fractures. Analysis is of the recent available literature and the personal practice allow us to have a...

Infrared thermographic evaluation of patients with metastatic vertebral fractures after combined minimal invasive surgical treatment

Background: Vertebral cement augmentation and external beam radiotherapy have become increasingly used techniques for treatment of vertebral compression fractures due to spinal metastatic lesions in the Republic of Moldo...

The impact of culture media on the endothelial viability of corneas

Background: The complexity of cryopreservation and its potential to damage the endothelium make it so that it is rarely used in routine eye banking, except for occasional, clinically urgent transplants, where the main ob...

Tuberculosis characteristics and risk factors in urban compared with rural patients

Material and methods: A retrospective selective, descriptive study of socioeconomic, epidemiological peculiarities, case-management, diagnosis and microbiological characteristics of 694 patients with tuberculosis registe...

Download PDF file
  • EP ID EP487934
  • DOI 10.5281/zenodo.1106803
  • Views 156
  • Downloads 0

How To Cite

Elena Dolapciu (2017). From body mass index to body composition analysis in diagnostic of childhood obesity. Moldovan Medical Journal, 60(4), 25-31. https://europub.co.uk/articles/-A-487934