Changes in body composition by age and obesity status in preschool-aged children: the STEPS study

Abstract

Background/Objectives Obesity in early childhood is associated with increased risk of chronic diseases, but studies of body composition at preschool ages are sparse. Therefore, we examined differences in body composition by sex and obesity status in Finnish preschool aged children and within-individual changes in body composition in normal and overweight children.Subject/Methods Body composition was measured using segmental multifrequency bioimpedance analysis (BIA) in 476 children and in 781 children at age 3 and 5 years, respectively. Of those, 308 had repeated BIA measurements at both ages. BMI-SDS was used for classification of normal weight and overweight children. ResultsSex difference in the amount of lean mass (LM) was already seen at 3 years of age (boys 11.7 kg, girls 11.3 kg; p<0.001). At 5 years of age, boys had lower fat mass (FM; 3.6kg vs 3.9 kg, p<0.001), lower percent fat mass (%FM; 17.2 % vs. 19.1 %; p<0.001), and higher LM (16.0 kg vs. 15.2 kg; p<0.001) than girls. Overweight children had higher values in FM, %FM and LM compared to normal weight peers at both ages. Among normal weight children, the increase of LM by age was associated with only minor changes in FM whereas children who were or became overweight both LM and FM was substantially increased between 3 and 5 years of age.Conclusions BIA-assessed body composition differs by sex and obesity status already at age of 3 years.For children who are or become overweight at very young age, the patterns for the changes in LM and FM by age are different than for normal weight children.

Comparison of Bioelectrical Impedance-Based Methods on Body Composition in Young Patients with Obesity

“…It appears that TANITA and BIACORPUS, which are non-invasive and easily applied devices, could be appropriate to measure body composition in young patients with obesity. Previous studies found that bioelectrical impedance-based methods may be accurate enough to provide reliable measurements [30,31], and in other studies a more limited reliability was defined [26,32,33], except for individuals with obesity, but not for patients with morbid obesity [34], or a clear need of optimization for young patients with obesity [35], highlighting the need to be cautious when applying it. It thus appears important that future research conducts a thorough comparison of TANITA and BIACORPUS with DXA.…”

Assessment of Body Composition in Obese Pediatric Patients: a Method Comparison

“…It appears that TANITA could be appropriate to measure body composition in young obese patients. However, although previous studies found that bioelectrical impedance-based methods may be accurate enough to provide reliable measurements [25,26], in other studies a more limited reliability was de ned [21,27,28], except for obese, but not morbid obese patients [29], or a clear need of optimization for young obese patients [30], highlighting the need to be cautious when applying it.…”

To measure growth—pediatrician’s dilemma

“…There is very little information regarding the composition of weight gain over time in the current literature. Leskinen et al in their article, using Bio Impedance Analysis found body composition differences by gender and obesity status at age of 3 years [3]. Also, subjects who became or remained overweight showed an increase of lean mass accompanied by fat mass gain [3].…”

“…Leskinen et al in their article, using Bio Impedance Analysis found body composition differences by gender and obesity status at age of 3 years [3]. Also, subjects who became or remained overweight showed an increase of lean mass accompanied by fat mass gain [3]. The first 1000 days of life-the period from conception to age of two-is the most important period for the body and brain development, and it represents the best time for obesity prevention and its adverse consequences [4].…”

“…Keeping in mind all the information, according with Leskinen et al [3] we should conclude that the available tools for quantifying body composition in pediatrics are well developed and useful. Clearly it is fundamental to know the peculiarity of the different measurements in order to select the appropriate methods for specific body components evaluation.…”