Fat patterning of Santhal children: a tribal population of West Bengal, India

A cross sectional study was undertaken to examine the body composition including fat patterning among 1012 Santal children, aged 5-12 years, in Puruliya district of West Bengal, India. The anthropometric variable measured included height, weight and skinfold thickness of triceps and subscapular. The body mass index (BMI) was also calculated. The measurements were used to estimate body fat percent (%BF) and fat-free mass (FFM) from skinfolds. Fat mass and FFM were each divided by height squared to produce the fat mass index (FMI) and fat-free mass index (FFMI). Maximum gaining of %BF and FFM was found at ages 11-12 years in both sexes. Difference of-FFM between 5 and 12 years of age was found to be highest in girls (18.7 kg) than in boys (14.92 kg). Body fat percentage of girls was significantly (p < 0.05) higher (except in 8 and 9 years old) than that of boys. FMI and FFMI of girls showed different pattern than that of boys. FFM and %BF showed significant (p < 0.01) relationship with all anthropometric variables. Results suggests a clear evidence of sexual dimorphism in fat patterning; girls showing a greater subcutaneous adiposity in comparison with boys. FMI and FFMI, both indices indicate an age-and sex-related variation among Santal children. The data of the present study could be serving as reference data in other studies of Santal children.     

Fat and fat-free mass in Nepalese children: an assessment of nutritional status

The aims of the present study were to determine the body composition and to assess the nutritional status on the basis of body composition parameters in Nepalese children. Body fat percentage (BF%), fat mass (FM), and fat-free mass (FFM) of 1,988 (1,016 boys and 972 girls) Nepalese children aged 6 to 10 years were calculated from triceps and subscapular skinfolds. FM and FFM were then divided by height-squared in meter to determine the fat mass index (FMI) and fat-free mass index (FFMI), respectively. Growth curves of BF% and FFM for Nepalese children remained at a low level compared to international data. BF%, FM, and FMI of Nepalese girls were significantly (p < 0.001) higher than Nepalese boys, whereas FFM and FFMI of Nepalese boys were significantly (p < 0.001) higher than Nepalese girls of all age groups. BF%, FM, and FFM were significantly correlated with almost all anthropometric parameters in both sexes. Growth curves of BF% and FFM showed that the undernutrition prevailed in Nepalese children. BF% and FFM were good indicators for measuring nutritional status in Nepalese children. Sexual dimorphism of fat patterning was present in Nepalese children.     

Relationship between maternal pre‐pregnancy body mass index,gestational weight gain and childhood fatness at 6–7 years by air displacement plethysmography

This study aims to investigate the effect of maternal pre‐pregnancy body mass index (BMI) and gestational weight gain (GWG) on offspring body composition. In this prospective cohort study, offspring body composition at 6 years of age was obtained through air displacement plethysmography. Linear regression was used to obtain crude and adjusted coefficients. Information regarding offspring body composition and maternal pre‐pregnancy BMI was available for 3156 children and on offspring body composition and GWG for 3129 children. There was a direct association of maternal pre‐pregnancy BMI and GWG with offspring's fat mass (FM), fat‐free mass (FFM), fat mass index (FMI), fat‐free mass index (FFMI) and body fat percent (BF%) in crude and adjusted analyses. After adjustment for co‐variables, for each kg m^?2 of maternal pre‐pregnancy BMI increase, there was a mean increment of 0.13 kg in the offspring FFM, 0.06 kg m^?2 in FFMI, 0.11 kg in FM, 0.07 kg m^?2 in FMI and 0.18% in BF%. For each kilogram of maternal GWG increase, there was a mean increment of 0.08 kg in offspring's FM, 0.05 kg m^?2 in FMI, 0.04 kg in FFM, 0.01 kg m^?2 in FFMI and 0.18 % in BF%. Mothers with a higher pre‐pregnancy BMI or GWG tend to have children with greater adiposity at age 6 years. Fetal overnutrition is more likely among mothers with greater BMI during pregnancy; as a consequence, it can accelerate the childhood obesity epidemic.     

Long‐term effects of rapid weight gain in children,adolescents and young adults with appropriate birth weight for gestational age: the kiel obesity prevention study

Aim: This study investigates the effect of rapid weight gain in term children, adolescents and young adults born appropriate for gestational age. Methods: In all, 173 girls and 178 boys aged 6.1–19.9 (12.5 ± 3.1)years participated. Rapid weight gain (group 1) was defined as a change in weight‐SDS (standard deviation score) from birth till two years >0.67, ‘no change’ as ≥?0.67 and ≤0.67 (group 2) vs ‘slow weight gain’ as 90th age‐/sex‐specific BMI‐percentile was defined as overweight. Parental BMI, socio‐economic status and lifestyle were assessed as confounders. Results: A total of 22.8% gained weight rapidly, and 15.7% was overweight. Group 1 compared with group 2 and 3 subjects was taller, heavier and had a higher prevalence of overweight (girls/boys: 26.2%/28.9% vs 11.6%/19.0% vs 2.8%/5.0%; p < 0.01/p < 0.05). Concomitantly, a higher WC, %FM and FFM were observed. Rapid weight gain was positively associated with REE (adjusted for FFM) in boys (r = 0.26; p < 0.01), but not with cardio‐metabolic risk factors. Conclusion: Rapid weight gain was related to increases in height, weight, a higher prevalence of overweight and central fat distribution. In addition, rapid weight gain was related to a higher REE in boys, but not to cardio‐metabolic risk factors.     

Assessment of individual changes in body fatness in boys during early pubertal period

BACKGROUND: In order to know whether the changes in indexes of overweight, body mass index (BMI; kg/m2) and percentage of overweight (POW) (%), really represent the tendency toward obesity, we examined longitudinal individual changes in these indexes, and the change in body composition in boys during early pubertal period. METHODS: The subjects were 50 school boys who lived in Shizuoka, Japan. Standing height and weight were measured, and BMI and POW were obtained. Body fat percentage (BF%), fat mass (FM) and lean body mass (LBM) were estimated by bioelectrical impedance method. The influence of predictive variables (LBM, FM) on the changes in BMI and POW was investigated by multiple regression analysis. We examined the 3-year changes in BMI, POW and predictive variables in each individual, from 9 to 12 years of age. RESULTS: The mean change of BMI was 1.7 +/- 0.3 (mean +/- SEM) kg/m2 and that of POW was 2.2 +/- 1.9%. The influence of predictive variables on the changes in BMI and POW was determined. The variance of the change in POW could be explained by that in FM (r(2) = 0.737, P < 0.0001), while the change in BMI was influenced by both LBM and FM (r2 = 0.891, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Based on the definition of obesity, POW is the better index of body fatness to assess its individual change for boys during early pubertal period, because the index independent from the change in LBM is supposed to be the appropriate index for obesity in practical use.     

Body composition and respiratory function in healthy non-obese children

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the present paper was to evaluate the role that body composition plays in lung function, among healthy children and adolescents. METHODS: Cross-sectional study was undertaken using sex- and age-stratified sampling among healthy children and adolescents aged 6-18 years. Spirometry was performed on every child who fulfilled inclusion criteria. Fat mass (FM) and fat-free mass (FFM) were calculated from triceps skinfold thickness and arm circumference. Multiple logistic regression was used to obtain adjusted prevalence odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) between low pulmonary function (PF) of schoolchildren and body composition expressed in FM and FFM. Calculations of OR imply that the outcome is dichotomous (low PF/normal PF), therefore those children who had parameters of pulmonary function below the 25th percentile were classed as cases and the rest of the subjects were considered as controls. RESULTS: A total of 2408 children were included; 1270 (53%) of them were male and 1138 (47%), female. Among boys the increase of FFM was associated with an increase of forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1). Among girls the increase of FFM was associated with an increase of FEV1, forced vital capacity, and peak expiratory flow. The increase in FM was associated with a decrease of spirometric parameters in both genders, with a stronger effect among boys. CONCLUSIONS: The present study confirms the negative effect of body fat on the PF of children and adolescents, even though obese subjects were excluded. The effect is different between boys and girls.     

Birthweight and stature, body mass index and fat distribution of 14-year-old Polish adolescents

OBJECTIVES: The relationships between intra-uterine growth retardation and stature, relative weight and fat distribution at adolescence have not been comprehensively established. The aim of this report is to assess the effect of low birthweight on stature, relative weight and fat distribution in 14-year-old boys and girls from Wroclaw, Poland. METHODOLOGY: Cross-sectional measurements of 1197 boys and 819 post-menarcheal girls aged 13.50-14.49 years were performed during medical examinations in 1997. Stature, body mass index (BMI; kg/m2), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and waist-to-thigh ratio (WTR) were used in the present study. A cut-off value of the 10th percentile of birthweight for particular gestational weeks was used in order to define subjects born small for gestational age (SGA) or appropriate for gestational age (AGA). Two-way ANOVA was used to evaluate the effect of birthweight on anthropometric variables of 14-year-old adolescents, allowing for socioeconomic status (determined by the level of the mother's education). RESULTS: Birthweight affected stature in boys and girls (P < 0.001), BMI in boys (P < 0.05) and WHR and WTR in girls (P < 0.001 and P < 0.05, respectively). At the age of 14 years, both SGA boys and girls were shorter than their AGA peers. The SGA boys had lower BMI, whereas SGA girls accumulated more centralized fat compared with their AGA counterparts. CONCLUSION: Fetal growth retardation has a long-lasting adverse effect on later physical growth. Polish SGA children do not catch up with their peers in terms of stature by adolescence. Moreover, central fat distribution, as observed among SGA girls, constitutes a significant risk for several adult degenerative diseases.     

Body composition during the first 2 years of life: an updated reference

Normative body composition during the first 2 y of life was derived from a prospective study of 76 children. We present 1) fat free mass (FFM) and its components, and fat mass (FM), 2) incremental growth rates partitioned into chemical components, and 3) age-specific and gender-specific constants for converting chemical and physical components into FFM for children during the first 2 y of life. A multicomponent model based on measurements of total body water (TBW), total body potassium (TBK) and bone mineral content (BMC) was used to estimate FFM and FM at 0.5, 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 mo of age. TBW was determined by deuterium dilution, TBK by whole body counting, and BMC by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. FFM was higher in boys than girls between 0.5-18 mo of age (p < or = 0.05). Percent FM increased on average from 13 to 31% between 0.5 and 3-6 mo, and then gradually declined. Percent FM was significantly higher in girls than in boys at 6 and 9 mo of age (p < or = 0.02). The components of FFM on a percentage basis changed with age (p = 0.001), but not gender. The protein content of FFM increased gradually with age, while TBW declined (p = 0.001). As a percentage of FFM, osseous mineral increased from 2.0 to 3.4% in boys and from 2.1 to 3.3% in girls between 0.5 and 24 mo (p = 0.001). Density and potassium content of FFM increased gradually with age (p = 0.001). These normative body composition data provide an updated reference upon which to assess normal growth and nutritional status of pediatric populations representative of mixed feeding groups during the first 2 y of life.     

Cross-calibration of multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis with eight-point tactile electrodes and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry for assessment of body composition in healthy children aged 6–18 years

Background:  In diagnosis and treatment of obesity, body composition analysis including percent body fat (%BF) is useful in the clinical setting. Because bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) could be used quickly, easily and was non-invasive in clinical setting, the purpose of the present study was to evaluate the usefulness of multi-frequency BIA with eight-point tactile electrodes (MF-BIA8; InBody 720, Biospace) compared with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in healthy children and adolescents.
Methods:  A total of 166 children and adolescents under 18 (male, n  = 86; female, n  = 80) were recruited. Height, weight, body mass index (BMI) and Tanner stage were measured for each subject. The body composition such as fat-free mass (FFM), fat mass (FM), and %BF was measured on BIA and DXA and compared.
Results:  On linear regression analysis, DXA FFM = 1.006(BIA FFM) + 0.554, R ² = 0.99 and the standard error of the estimate (SEE) was 1.16 kg; DXA FM = 0.971(BIA FM) – 0.596, R ² = 0.93; SEE, 1.34 kg; and DXA %BF = 0.940(BIA %BF) – 1.026, R ² = 0.858; SEE, 3.03%. Limit of agreement in FFM, FM, and %BF was 0.7 ± 2.3 kg, −0.9 ± 2.9 kg and –2.2 ± 6.1%, respectively.
Conclusions:  Although the %BF was not interchangeable with DXA, MF-BIA8 (InBody 720; Biospace) could be used to measure body composition of children and adolescents in the clinical field because of its high precision.     

Neonatal anthropometrics and body composition in obese children investigated by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry

Epidemiological and animal studies have suggested an effect of the intrauterine milieu upon the development of childhood obesity. This study investigates the relationship between body composition measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry expressed as body fat percent, body fat mass index (BFMI), and fat free mass index (FFMI) in obese children and the preceding in utero conditions expressed by birth weight, birth length, and birth weight for gestational age. The study cohort consisted of 776 obese Danish children (median age 11.6 years, range 3.6–17.9) with a mean Body Mass Index Standard Deviation Score (BMI SDS) of 2.86 (range 1.64–5.48) treated in our national referral centre. In a linear general regression model adjusted for age, gender, socioeconomic status, and duration of breastfeeding, we found the body fat percent, FFMI, and BFMI at the time of enrolment in childhood obesity treatment to be significantly correlated with both birth weight and birth weight for gestational age. Conclusion: These results indicate a prenatal influence upon childhood obesity. Although there are currently no sufficient data to suggest any recommendations to pregnant women, it is possible that the prenatal period may be considered as a potential window of opportunity for prevention of childhood overweight and obesity.     

Comparison of several anthropometric indices with insulin resistance proxy measures among European adolescents: The Helena Study

The aim of the current study was to compare the association of several anthropometric indices, with insulin resistance (IR) proxy measures in European adolescents. The present study comprises 1,097 adolescents aged 12.5-17.5 from ten European cities participating in the HELENA study. Weight, height, waist circumference (WC) and hip circumference, skinfolds thickness, fat mass (FM), fasting plasma glucose (G(F)) and serum insulin (I(F)) levels were measured. HOMA (as indicator of IR body mass index (BMI), waist to hip ratio (WHR) and waist to height ratio (WHtR) were calculated. I(F) and HOMA were statistically significantly related to BMI, WC, skinfold sum, WHtR, WHR and FM. BMI, WC, WHtR, skinfold sum and FM displayed similar correlation with I(F) and HOMA as opposed to WHR where lower correlation with IR indices was detected in the overall sample. Similar results were found for boys, girls and underweight/normal weight adolescents. On the other hand, WC and WHtR were found to be more strongly associated with IR proxy measures compared to the rest of anthropometric indices among overweight/obese subjects. Based on the current findings, WC and WHtR could be used, alternatively, to identify the overweight/obese adolescent at risk for developing IR. In addition, all aforementioned anthropometric indices, except WHR, could be used among the underweight/normal weight adolescents.     

Changes in fat mass,fat-free mass and aerobic fitness in severely obese children and adolescents following a residential treatment programme

The purpose of this study was to describe changes in fat mass (FM), fat-free mass (FFM) and aerobic fitness in severely obese children and adolescents during residential treatment in the Medical Paediatric Centre Zeepreventorium. Treatment consisted of moderate dietary restriction, physical activity and psychological support. This study was a clinical observation of 20 severely obese children and adolescents (8 boys and 12 girls, aged 15.4+/-1.8 years) who completed the 10-month residential programme. Height, weight, FM, FFM and aerobic fitness was measured four times during the intervention: at baseline, 11 weeks, 24 weeks and at 33 weeks (at the end of the programme ). The mean decrease in level of overweight was 46% (P<0.001), with a mean loss of 8.9% FM (P<0.001). Submaximal performance (PWC150) improved from 123+/-35 Watt to 152+/-37 Watt (P<0.001). Maximal performance levels increased (performance time: from 14+/-2.9 min to 15.3+/-3.5 min, peak power: from 186+/-38 Watt to 205+/-45 Watt, P<0.01) without an improvement in absolute VO(2 peak). CONCLUSION: A moderate dietary restriction in combination with physical activity and psychological support in severely obese children and adolescents is effective in decreasing body fat and improving physical performance. Further research is needed to evaluate the longer-term effects of such a programme.     

Assessment of nutritional status and body composition in children using physical anthropometry and bioelectrical impedance: influence of diurnal variations

BACKGROUND: To observe whether there are diurnal variations when assessing children's body composition, using physical anthropometric and bioelectrical impedance (BI) methods. METHODS: In 32 children (18 females and 14 males) aged between 7.1 and 14.9 years, weight, height, arm circumference (AC), four skinfolds, and total body impedance (Z) were measured at 8 A.M., 12 noon, 4 P.M., and 8 P.M. on the same day. Body mass index (BMI), skinfolds sum (SS), total body water (TBW), fat-free mass (FFM), and fat mass (FM) were also calculated at these times. RESULTS: Height at 8 P.M. was 1.156 +/- 0.54 cm less than at 8 A.M. (P < 0.001) and BMI increased 0.434 +/- 0.29 kg/m2 at 8 P.M. (P < 0.001). Weight, SS and AC underwent no significant changes in the course of the day. Z was 5.83% less at 8 P.M. than at 8 A.M. (P < 0.001), yielding a TBW and FFM increase at 8 P.M. of 0.855 +/- 1.061 and 1.173 +/- 1.47 kg, respectively (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In children there is a diurnal decrease in height, impedance and FM, and an increase in BMI, TBW, and FFM. These factors must be taken into account when using such methods for assessing nutritional status in childhood.     

Impact of ethnicity upon body composition assessment in Sri Lankan Australian children

OBJECTIVES: Obesity is a disease with excess body fat where health is adversely affected. Therefore it is prudent to make the diagnosis of obesity based on the measure of percentage body fat. Body composition of a group of Australian children of Sri Lankan origin were studied to evaluate the applicability of some bedside techniques in the measurement of percentage body fat. METHODS: Height (H) and weight (W) was measured and BMI (W/H(2)) calculated. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) was measured using tetra polar technique with an 800 microA current of 50 Hz frequency. Total body water was used as a reference method and was determined by deuterium dilution and fat free mass and hence fat mass (FM) derived using age and gender specific constants. Percentage FM was estimated using four predictive equations, which used BIA and anthropometric measurements. RESULTS: Twenty-seven boys and 15 girls were studied with mean ages being 9.1 years and 9.6 years, respectively. Girls had a significantly higher FM compared to boys. The mean percentage FM of boys (22.9 +/- 8.7%) was higher than the limit for obesity and for girls (29.0 +/- 6.0%) it was just below the cut-off. BMI was comparatively low. All but BIA equation in boys under estimated the percentage FM. The impedance index and weight showed a strong association with total body water (r(2)= 0.96, P < 0.001). Except for BIA in boys all other techniques under diagnosed obesity. CONCLUSIONS: Sri Lankan Australian children appear to have a high percentage of fat with a low BMI and some of the available indirect techniques are not helpful in the assessment of body composition. Therefore ethnic and/or population specific predictive equations have to be developed for the assessment of body composition, especially in a multicultural society using indirect methods such as BIA or anthropometry.     

Insulin sensitivity, VO2max and body composition in severely obese Swedish children and adolescents

Aim: The aim of this study was to identify relationships between insulin sensitivity (SI), cardiorespiratory fitness and body composition in severely obese Swedish children and adolescents.
Methods: Two hundred and twenty-eight obese children (119 girls, 8–16 years, body mass index (BMI) 23.2–57.0 kg/m²) performed a frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test (FSIVGTT), a submaximal bicycle ergometry test and a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA).
Results: Mean SI (SD) was 0.38 (0.32) (×10⁻⁵/min/pM). SI correlated positively with relative body mass (BM) VO₂max (r = 0.42) (p < 0.001), relative fat-free mass (FFM) VO₂max (r = 0.36) (p < 0.001) and negatively with body mass index standard deviation score (BMI SDS) (r =−0.22) (p = 0.001). SI did not correlate with percent body fat (r =−0.01) and absolute VO₂max (r = 0.01). In multiple regression analyses with SI as dependent variable, VO₂max and body composition, together with gender, age and Tanner stage, explained 20–26% of the variance.
Conclusion: Relative (BM) VO₂max and relative (FFM) VO₂max were stronger predictors of SI than percent body fat in severely obese children and adolescents. The study confirms that cardiorespiratory fitness is of importance for the metabolic syndrome in the studied population. Efforts to improve SI should include physical activity targeting cardiorespiratory fitness also in severely obese children and adolescents.     

The relationship between different subcutaneous adipose tissue layers, fat mass and leptin in obese children and adolescents

We studied the relationships of subcutaneous adipose tissue layers (SAT-layers), body fat mass (FM) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) with leptin in obese children and adolescents. Twenty-nine obese children and adolescents (12 boys: age: 11.3 +/- 3.7 yr; body mass index [BMI]: 28.5 +/- 4) and 17 girls (age: 12.2 +/- 2.2 yr; BMI: 29.8 +/- 4.7) (mean +/- SD) were studied. FM was estimated by bioelectrical impedance. SAT-layers were determined at 15 different body sites from 1-neck to 15-calf by the Lipometer optical device. Leptin and insulin were determined by RIA. Maturity was associated with a greater thickness of certain SAT-layers from the upper body and with a lower thickness of SAT-layers from the abdominal region and lower extremities. Significant correlations were found for all estimates of adiposity and leptin (all p<0.001). Waist and hip circumferences were not correlated to leptin after adjustment for FM. SAT-layers from the upper body were significantly and positively correlated to leptin. Multiple regression analysis revealed FM as a main contributor to the variation in leptin (R2=0.53, p<0.0001). FM together with SAT-layers 5-front chest and 13-rear thigh explained 72% of the variation in leptin (p<0.0001). In a body fat distribution model, hip circumference together with SAT-layers 4-upper back and 2-triceps explained 75% of the variation in leptin (p< 0.0001). The results suggest that SAT-layers and their topography are main determinants for leptin in obese children and adolescents. Maturity in obese children is associated with higher values of upper body SAT-layers and lower values of abdominal and lower extremities SAT-layers. Whether leptin is under the control of certain subcutaneous adipose tissue depots from the upper body remains to be elucidated by longitudinal studies.     

Comparison of pulmonary function between children living in rural and urban areas in northern Nigeria

Children in northern Nigeria and elsewhere in the hot, arid western Sahel, are at risk of having their lung function compromised by a variety of factors, including undernutrition, environmental factors (e.g. airborne pollutants such as dust and smoke from wood fires), chronic upper-respiratory tract infections, and low socioeconomic class. We were interested in using spirometry to compare the pulmonary function of Nigerian children and adolescents aged 6-18 years who were living in urban and rural settings with the corresponding standards for African-American children. A total of 183 boys and girls in the rural village of Sabon Fobur on the Jos Plateau and another 128 boys and girls in the city of Jos were tested to determine their forced vital capacity (FVC), FVC at 1 s (FVC1), and peak expiratory flow (PEF). The nutritional status of the subjects was determined by measuring the body mass index (BMI), triceps skin-fold thickness, and mid-arm circumference, and fat-free mass (FFM) and fat mass (FM) by bioelectrical impedance analysis. According to the results of anthropometry, the subjects in Sabon Fobur and Jos were lean but generally adequately nourished. The mean FVC, FVC1 and PEF values for the rural males were 1.851,1.761, and 3.521, and for the urban males they were 1.971,1.791, and 3.471, respectively. The corresponding values for the rural females were 1.791,1.701, and 3.371, and for the urban females they were 1.761,1.671, and 3.091. These values were approximately 100 per cent of the corresponding values for African-American children. In general, strong correlations were found between each of the three lung function parameters and age, weight, height (only for the males), BMI, MAC, and FFM. These results show that: (1) the lung function of Nigerian children and adolescents living in either rural or urban areas were similar and compared favorably with African-American standards, and (2) weight was as important as height in determining pulmonary function. The inclusion of FFM as an explanatory variable did notfurther increase the accuracy of the prediction, even in a population where malnutrition may be prevalent. Therefore, we conclude that measurements of height and weight are all that are required for the assessment of lung function using spirometry in Nigerian children.     

Fat mass by air-displacement plethysmography and impedance in obese/non-obese children and adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the level of agreement between measurements of body composition by air-displacement plethysmography (ADP) and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) in obese/non-obese children and adolescents. METHODS: Fat mass (FM) and fat free mass (FFM) were measured by ADP using the BOD-POD system and foot-to-foot BIA in 187 children and adolescents (75 males and 112 females, aged 5 to 22 years). Obesity was defined as a percentage FM (determined by BOD-POD), as a percentage (%) higher than 25%-35%. Sixty-four subjects were obese and 123 non-obese. RESULTS: Lin's Concordance Coefficient (Rc) between estimates of FM (%) and FFM (kg) was 0.79 (95% CI: 0.73; 0.83) by BIA and 0.96 (95% CI: 0.95; 0.97) by ADP. For the group of patients as a whole, the mean difference (p < 0.001) between methods (the BIA measurement minus the ADP measurement) was -3.39 (95% CI: -4.13; -2.65) for FM (%) and 1.54 (95% CI: 1.10; 1.98) for FFM (kg) (p < 0.001). The limits of agreement were -13.70; 6.90 for FM (%) and 1.40; 7.60 for FFM (kg). In the obese group, the mean difference between methods was -5.01 (95% CI: -6.21; -3.81) for FM (%) and 2.58 (95% CI: 3.45; 1.71) for FFM (kg) (p < 0.001). In the non-obese group, these mean differences were 2.49 (95% CI: -3.41; -1.57) and 0.96 (95% CI: 1.43; 0.50), respectively (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with ADP, foot-to-foot BIA overestimates FFM and underestimates FM in obese and non-obese children of either sex. ADP and BIA estimates of FFM and FM are highly correlated for both obese/non-obese children. However, the large limits of agreement suggest that these methods should not be used interchangeably.     

Metabolic syndrome by the new IDF criteria in Hong Kong Chinese adolescents and its prediction by using body mass index

Aim: The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) has recently proposed a new set of criteria to define metabolic syndrome (MES) in children and adolescents. We estimated the rate of MES by these new IDF criteria and investigated the use of body mass index (BMI) in predicting MES in Chinese adolescents. Methods: This is a cross‐sectional, population‐based study of 1616 Chinese adolescents. sensitivity, specificity and likelihood ratio were calculated to assess the accuracy in using BMI to predict the presence of MES. Results: In the study population, 48.6% were boys. The median age was 14.0 and 15.0 years for boys and girls respectively and the overall prevalence of MES was 1.2% (boys 1.5%; girls 0.8%). Using BMI ≥25 kg/m², the sensitivity, specificity and likelihood ratio to predict MES were 100%, 85.0% and 6.7% respectively. The corresponding figures were 52.6%, 97.1% and 18.1%, respectively, using BMI ≥30 kg/m². Conclusion: Metabolic syndrome was found in 1.2% of Chinese adolescents in Hong Kong. BMI is a useful clinical tool to predict clustering of cardiometabolic risk factors in adolescents.