Body Composition Assessment in Zambian Adolescents Living with HIV
Author Information
Author(s): Filteau Suzanne, Chisenga Molly, Namunkonda Cassandra, Mukwasi-Kahari Cynthia, Kasonka Lackson, Simms Victoria, Gregson Celia L., Wells Jonathan C.
Primary Institution: London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
Hypothesis
Can less expensive and more available methods adequately assess body composition in adolescents living with HIV?
Conclusion
Simpler methods like BIA and anthropometry are not adequate for assessing body composition changes in adolescents living with HIV, but BIA may still provide useful trends where DXA is unavailable.
Supporting Evidence
- 420 adolescents were assessed for body composition using various methods.
- BIA and anthropometry did not adequately reflect total fat or trunk fat as measured by DXA.
- Mean bias was generally small, but limits of agreement were wide for all comparisons.
- BIA may still describe broad trends in body composition where DXA is not available.
Takeaway
This study looked at how to measure body fat in teenagers with HIV. It found that cheaper methods don't work as well as the expensive ones, but they can still give some helpful information.
Methodology
The study used dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), bioelectrical impedance (BIA), and anthropometry to assess body composition.
Potential Biases
Potential bias in body composition assessment due to the limitations of the methods used, especially in males with low central fat.
Limitations
The study did not use the full 4-component model for body composition and relied on DXA as a comparison method, which may not be widely available.
Participant Demographics
Participants were Zambian adolescents aged 11-19 years, with a roughly equal distribution of males and females.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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