Body Composition Changes In Children Research Articles

Evaluation of body composition changes in children after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation using the deuterium dilution method and double-energy X-ray absorptiometry: results from a pilot study

Evaluation of body composition changes in children after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation using the deuterium dilution method and double-energy X-ray absorptiometry: results from a pilot study

Pilot study on the effect of supplementation with long-chain ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on body composition in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia: randomized clinical trial

N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA-ω3), particularly docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) might have beneficial effects on lean mass and fat mass synthesis. To investigate the effect of LCPUFA-ω3 supplementation on body composition changes in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) at remission and three months (3mo) after supplementation. This randomized controlled trial enrolled 72 children (3-13y) with newly diagnosed ALL (placebo group [500mg sunflower oil]: 36 patients; LCPUFA-ω3 group [225mg DHA, 45mg EPA]: 36 patients). LCPUFA-ω3 was administered at 0.100g/kg of body weight/day for 3mo. Both groups were provided with an oral milkshake supplement. Body composition was measured at diagnosis, remission, and 3 months after supplementation by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Red blood cell fatty acid analyses were performed with gas chromatography. Student's t test compared the percentage changes in body weight, total body fat percentage (TBFP), and lean body mass (LBM) between the groups. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the groups, and the Friedman range test and Wilcoxon signed rank test were used for intratreatment comparisons. Spearman correlation coefficients were calculated for LBM and erythrocyte LCPUFA-ω3 content. LBM decreased significantly in both groups. This loss was greater in the placebo group than in the LCPUFA-ω3 group at remission (p=0.044) and at 3 months of supplementation (p=0.039). There were significant and progressive increases in DHA and EPA concentrations in the LCPUFA-ω3 group (p<0.001). LBM at remission was directly correlated with increased DHA (r=0.487, p=0.034) and EPA (r=0.499, p=0.030) erythrocytes in the LCPUFA-ω3 group. At ALL diagnosis and during the first three months of treatment, 100mg/kg of body weight/d DHA and EPA decreased LBM loss and allowed the incorporation of fatty acids into cell membranes (clinicaltriasl.gov #: NCT01051154).

Body Composition Changes in Children during Treatment for Moderate Acute Malnutrition: Findings from a 4-Arm Cluster-Randomized Trial in Sierra Leone.

ABSTRACTBackgroundMeasures that better describe “healthy” and sustainable recovery during nutritional treatment of children with moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) are needed.ObjectivesWe compared changes to body composition among children receiving 1 of 4 specialized nutritious food (SNFs) during treatment of MAM and by recovery and relapse outcomes.MethodsThe study was nested within a prospective, cluster-randomized, community-based, cost-effectiveness trial assessing 4 SNFs to treat children aged 6–59 mo with MAM [midupper arm circumference (MUAC) ≥11.5 cm and <12.5 cm without bipedal edema] in Sierra Leone. Biweekly SNF rations (1 of 3 fortified-blended foods or a lipid-based nutrient supplement) were given until children recovered (MUAC ≥12.5 cm), or up to 7 rations (∼12 wk). Deuterium dilution was used to estimate fat-free mass (FFM) and fat mass (FM) at enrollment and after 4 wk of treatment to ensure similar treatment exposure among the participants. Another MUAC measurement was performed among recovered children 4 wk after program exit to determine whether recovery was sustained. ANOVA, paired t tests, and linear regression models were used to determine significant differences in changes from baseline to 4 wk.ResultsAmong 312 analyzed participants, mean baseline weight comprised ∼80% FFM; mean weight gained after 4 wk comprised ∼82% FFM. Changes in FM and FFM among 4 SNFs were similar. Children who recovered gained more weight (241%), FFM (179%), and weight-for-height z score (0.44 compared with 0) compared with those who did not recover; sustainers gained 150% more weight. FM gains were positive among recovered children and sustainers, as well as negative among those who did not recover or sustain recovery, but not significantly different.ConclusionsFour SNFs had similar effects on body composition in children after 4 wk of treatment for MAM, showing a healthy pattern of weight gain, the majority being FFM. Differential responses to treatment underscore a need for further research to provide targets for healthy, sustainable recovery. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03146897.

Body composition in children with type 1 diabetes in the first year after diagnosis: relationship to glycaemic control and cardiovascular risk

IntroductionRapid weight gain is often observed following initiation of insulin therapy in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and girls are particularly at risk of becoming overweight. The authors...

Birth Weight is Associated with Body Composition in a Multiethnic Pediatric Cohort

Several studies have indicated that birth weight is associated with increased risk for excess fat accumulation later in life. Our objective was to evaluate the association between birth weight and body composition measures in a multiethnic pediatric population while controlling for environmental factors previously associated with increased adiposity. Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry was performed on 256 European-American, African-American, and Hispanic-American boys and girls. Body composition measurements were adjusted by height to create a fat mass index, fat-free mass index, and trunk fat mass index. After adjusting for age, pubertal status, sex, race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and physical activity, we found that higher birth weights were associated with significant increases in all three body composition indices (P < 0.05). After adjusting for physical activity in analysis of covariance, the relationship between birth weight and the fat-free mass index was no longer significant. This study suggests that higher birth weight is a risk factor for later unfavorable body composition changes in children, and that current environment and physical activity habits can affect these outcomes.

A prospective study of body composition changes in children with cystic fibrosis.

Recent cross-sectional studies of children with cystic fibrosis (CF) have shown an improvement in their growth with improved nutritional status, but there are only a few longitudinal studies in this population. A four-year prospective study was conducted in 25 children with CF and 26 controls, ages 5 to 10 years at baseline, to describe changes in body composition using three independent methods of assessment: skinfold thickness, total body water by deuterium dilution, and total body electrical conductivity (TOBEC). The statural growth of the boys with CF was slower than that of the control boys. Using different methods, the fat-free mass and fat-mass increases were shown to be slower in boys with CF than in controls. These differences were less significant in girls. Despite comprehensive care, the growth of boys with CF may still not be optimal, as observed longitudinally.

Body composition changes in children receiving human growth hormone

Skinfold thickness was found to decrease during the first 6–10 wk and then remain constant when human growth hormone therapy was begun in 34 growth hormone-deficient children. Linear growth increased at a constant rate during the first 6 mo. Two children, who routinely received their injection in the same arm at the same site, developed a localized area of markedly diminished subcutaneous fat at the injection site, Height, weight, total-body potassium, and triceps skinfold thickness were measured at 2-mo intervals in nine children receiving human growth hormone. Total-body potassium was measured with the 54-Nal detector whole-body counter of the Brookhaven National Laboratory. The study extended over a period of 20 consecutive mo. Triceps skinfold thickness rapidly decreased during the initiation of therapy with growth hormone, and returned to pretreatment values during a 5-mo control period when therapy was temporarily discontinued. Rate of weight gain was most rapid during this 5-mo control period and was reduced during two periods when growth hormone was being administered. Total body potassium and height increased very little during the control period when weight gain was greatest, and both increased rapidly during the two periods of growth hormone treatment. The data show clearly the initial changes in body fat and lean tissue that occur when human growth hormone is administered to children with growth deficiency.