Application of bioimpedance analysis to treatment of obese children and adolescents

Authors / Institutions

Nina V. Bolotova / V.I.Razumovsky Saratov State Medical University, Saratov, Russian Federation

Olga V. Kompaniets / V.I.Razumovsky Saratov State Medical University, Saratov, Russian Federation

Ravilya R. Suleymanova / V.I.Razumovsky Saratov State Medical University, Saratov, Russian Federation

The objective. To individualise recommendations on reduction of body mass based on assessment of the findings of analysis of morphofunctional specificities of obese children.

Patients and methods. We examined 43 obese patients aged 8–17 y (27 boys, 62.7%, 16 girls, 37.3%). Analysis of morphofunctional specificities of body composition was performed with the use of bioelectrical impedance method. Parameters of lipid and carbohydrate metabolism were assessed by the findings of blood biochemistry. 

Results. In 58.1% of the examined children the percentage of active cell mass was decreased, which is indicative of true hypodynamia. Decreased skeletal-muscle mass against the background of significant elevation of its total level (in kg) are indicative of a low functional potential of myofibrils in male adolescents (62.7% of examined individuals). The basal metabolic rate, reflecting the intensity of metabolic processes in the body, was decreased in all subjects, in 35 (81.4%) by more than 20%.
These 35 patients had a compromised family history of obesity: in boys this parameter was lower than in girls (72 vs. 78%, respectively). In 17 examined children with a hypersthenic body type (39.5%), marked hydrophilia of tissues was found: the amounts of extracellular fluid exceeded normal values by 3.2 [1.5; 3.4] kg (р = 0.04). 

Conclusion. Based on revealed morphofunctional specificities patients received individualised recommendations on weight loss. This permitted to reduce body mass in all patients within the first month of follow-up by 5–7% from the initial level. During subsequent 5 months of follow-up body weight decreased in the overwhelming majority of patients (95%).

Key words: bioimpedance analysis, children, obesity, adolescents.

For citation: Bolotova N.V., Kompaniets O.V., Suleymanova R.R. Application of bioimpedance analysis to treatment of obese children and adolescents. Vopr. dietol. (Nutrition). 2018; 8(2): 51–55. (In Russian).
DOI: 10.20953/2224-5448-2018-2-51-55