Childhood Obesity - a Comparison of Different Techniques to Measure Adiposity

The emerging problem of overweight and obesity in children cannot be ignored. Although the long-term effects of overweight and obesity on morbidity and mortality in children have not yet been well documented, several studies suggest that obesity in childhood is followed by serious consequences in adulthood. Childhood obesity often tracks into adulthood and thus increases the risk of NCDs and premature death in adulthood. In addition, dyslipidemia, elevated blood pressure and abnormal glucose metabolism/insulin resistance are frequently encountered in obese children. Other health consequences of obesity in children include sleep apnea and orthopedic complications while adolescents are likely to suffer considerable psychological effects as well as social stigma and discrimination. The physiological distribution of body fat is an important determinant to health especially in terms of development of chronic diseases.

Assessment of human body composition has now become an important factor in determining the nutritional status of an individual and of populations . This is also something that needs to be recognized in growing children, given the increase in the prevalence of childhood obesity, and increases the demand for accurate methods for determining body fatness .

Bioelectrical impedance (BIA) has become increasingly popular in recent years in the assessment of body composition and body fluid status. The level of interest in this technique is related to the following advantages: it is non-invasive, inexpensive, and portal and requires minimal subject compliance.

The present investigation is being proposed in the Indian children with the goals outlined below:

Objectives:

  • Anthropometric assessment of overweight and obesity in children between the ages of 6-16 years belonging to an affluent school.
  • To determine the type of obesity in subjects who are obese and find the relationship between body fat and BMI.
  • To use bioelectrical impedance method for assessing overweight / obesity.
  • To compare the anthropometric measures of body fat with more sophisticated measurements of adiposity (bioimpedance) in these children.
  • To study the relationship of BMI and body fat with blood pressure and birth weight (if available).
  • To investigate the effect of lifestyle (dietary practices and physical activity) on adiposity.
  • To disseminate information on dietary modifications, physical activity and lifestyle to overweight and obese subjects.