Work

Body composition analysis in the pediatric population.

Year: 2012

Type: review

Abstract: Body composition analysis has become a useful tool in both clinical and research settings. Its use in the pediatric population is complicated by the rapid periods of growth and physical development that are characteristic of infancy, childhood, and adolescence. A thorough understanding of the changing nature of body composition during this time is essential for choosing the most appropriate measurement technique for a given individual, population, or clinical question. Growing evidence suggests that tissues such as fat, muscle, and bone are intimately involved in the regulation of whole body energy metabolism. This knowledge, when coupled with advancements in imaging techniques such as MRI and PET-CT, offers the possibility of developing new models of "functional" body composition. These models may prove to be especially important when assessing malnutrition and metabolic risk in patients with chronic disease.

Source: PubMed

Authors: David R Weber, Mary B Leonard, Babette S Zemel

Institution: Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

Language: English

Topic: Body Composition Measurement Techniques

Subfield: Physiology (medical)

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funder: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Awards: Patient Oriented Research in Vitamin D Deficiency in CKD, Career Development Program in Pediatric Diabetes Research (K12) at CHOP, Translational Research Training in Pediatric Diabetes & Endocrinology