Abstract
BackgroundShort stature is defined as height below 2 standard deviations of the population with the same age, gender. This study is aimed to assess the characteristics of body composition in preschool children with short stature.MethodsAnthropometric measurements and body composition were assessed in 68 preschool children aged 3 to 6 years old with short stature and 68 normal controls matched on age and gender. Height, weight and body composition (total body water, protein, minerals, body fat mass, fat-free mass, soft lean mass, skeletal muscle mass, and bone mineral contents) in the two groups were measured and compared.ResultsThe total body water, protein, minerals, body fat mass, fat-free mass, soft lean mass, skeletal muscle mass, and bone mineral contents were lower in preschool children with short stature than controls (P < 0.05). Body mass index and fat mass index did not differ between groups. Fat-free mass index was significantly lower in short stature group than controls (t = 2.17, P = 0.03). Linear regression analysis showed that there was a positive correlation between height and fat-free mass index [β, 1.99 (0.59, 3.39), P = 0.01], a negative correlation between height and body fat percentage [β, − 0.20 (− 0.38, − 0.01), P = 0.04]. The proportions of fat-free mass in the upper limbs were significantly lower (Right,t = − 2.78,Left t = − 2.76, P < 0.05, respectively) in short stature, although body fat distribution was not.ConclusionsThe fat-free mass such as protein and bone minerals is lower in preschool children with short stature, suggesting the monitoring of fat-free mass for early identification and intervention.
Highlights
Short stature is defined as height below 2 standard deviations of the population with the same age, gender
We used the fat mass index (FMI) and fat-free mass index (FFMI) to represent the proportion of body fat mass and fat-free mass, which were included in body composition measurements
Comparison of body composition measurements between two groups Total water, protein, minerals, fat mass, fat-free mass, muscle mass, skeletal muscle, and bone mineral contents were significantly lower in the short stature group than in the controls (P < 0.05) (Table 2)
Summary
Short stature is defined as height below 2 standard deviations of the population with the same age, gender. This study is aimed to assess the characteristics of body composition in preschool children with short stature. We used the fat mass index (FMI) and fat-free mass index (FFMI) to represent the proportion of body fat mass and fat-free mass, which were included in body composition measurements. BIA has been widely applied to evaluate nutritional status, calculate the proportion and distribution of constituents of the human body, and study body composition measurements in children [7]. The objective of this study was to analyze the characteristics of body composition measurements in preschool children with short stature so as to assess their nutritional status and provide a reference for diagnosis, treatment, and dietary guideline
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