Body Composition by Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis in Obese Children

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Body composition by bioelectrical impedance analysis(BIA) is a very useful method of analysing body composition in many diseases. BIA is a simple, rapid, non-invasive and reproducible technique. There was no comparative analysis between obese and healthy children. A comparative analysis between obese and healthy children is needed to assess the effect of excercise and other interventions in the management of childhood obesity. This study is designed to analyze and compare the body composition and body fat percent measured by BIA in healthy and obese children. METHODS: Height and weight were measured. BIA was done in healthy and obese children. Body compositions were analyzed with fat mass, lean body mass, body fat percent, protein, mineral, intracellular fluid(ICF), and extracellular fluid(ECF). RESULTS: Fat mass, fat percent, ICF, and ECF were significantly higher in the obese group. Resistances were significantly lower in the obese group. The amounts of ICF and ECF were significantly higher in obese group. Fat mass showed more significant correlation with ICF and ECF than body mass index. CONCLUSION: Body composition analysis using bioelectrical impedance(BI) is considered as very useful diagnostic method in the evaluation and treatment in childhood obesity. Epidemiologic study will be needed to determine the diagnostic criteria of obesity by BI.