Body Composition Score Research Articles

Predicting radiological vertebral fractures with a combined physical function and body composition scoring system.

The objective of this study was to investigate the incidence of vertebral fractures (VFx) and the value of physical function (PF) and body composition (BC) for predicting VFx in a Japanese population. This study included 307 subjects (113 men, 194 women) at least 40years of age who were assessed at community health check-ups in 2008 and 2016. PF was assessed by grip strength and by single-leg stance, timed up-and-go, and 30-s chair stand tests, each scored from 0 to 3 for a possible total of 12 points (higher scores reflect lower function). BC was scored on bioelectrical impedance measurements of trunk and appendage muscle volume, with 6 possible points. We diagnosed radiological VFx semiquantitatively on lateral views of the lumbar spine, and measured bone mineral status by quantitative ultrasound (QUS) of the calcaneus. We conducted logistic regression analysis with VFx as the dependent variable and age, sex, BMI, QUS, PF score, and BC score as independent variables. In 8years, 36 participants (12%) sustained new VFx. After correcting for age, sex, BMI, and QUS, the odds of VFx increased with a PF score ≥ 8 (OR 5.6; 95% CI 1.21-25.90; P = 0.028) and increased further with a PF + BC score ≥ 9 (OR 8.1; 95% CI 1.80-36.00; P < 0.01). Both PF and BC are important for predicting fragility fractures. The scoring system used here may reflect small differences better than categorical (single cutoff) definitions of poor function.

Association between Daytime Activity, Fatigue, Sleep, Anxiety, Depression, and Symptom Burden in Advanced Cancer Patients: A Preliminary Report.

There is limited research in advanced cancer patients (ACP) regarding association between objectively measured daytime activity and sleep (as measured by actigraphy), patient characteristics, and cancer symptoms (fatigue, sleep, anxiety, depression, cachexia, and symptom distress scores [SDSs]). Our aim of the study was to determine the association between mean daytime activity (MDTA) and the following items: fatigue (FACIT-F), SDSs (Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale [ESAS]), sleep quality (Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index [PSQI]), objective sleep variables (OSV) (sleep onset, sleep efficacy, wake after sleep onset, total sleep time), anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale [HADS]), body composition scores, and overall survival (OS). We also examined the association between sleep [PSQI and OSV scores] and FACIT-F, HADS, and ESAS. Secondary analysis of a recent clinical trial of cancer-related fatigue in advanced cancer (NCT00424099). Association between MDTA and OSV (measured by actigraphy) during the first week of the study and patient characteristics, symptoms (FACIT-F, ESAS, HADS, and PSQI), and OS were analyzed. Seventy-nine eligible patients were evaluable. The median age was 57 years. Median MDTA was 248.43 counts/minute. Multivariate analysis shows that low MDTA was significantly associated with age, gender, Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy (FACT)-Functional Well-Being (FWB), ESAS dyspnea, HADS-anxiety, and total sleep time. MDTA was not associated with FACIT-F (p = 0.997) and OS (p = 0.18). Sleep quality (PSQI) was significantly associated with FACIT-F, HADS, ESAS anxiety, and depression, but none of these variables was associated with OSV. In ACP, lower MDTA was significantly associated with age, gender, FACT-FWB, ESAS dyspnea, HADS-anxiety, and total sleep time. Both sleep quality and cancer-related fatigue scores were strongly associated with depression and anxiety. More research is needed.

Reliability of Body Composition Assessment Using Generalizability Theory (G-Theory).

PURPOSE: Adequate reliability of body composition (BC) assessments is a requirement before such measures can be considered valid. Many studies to date have only examined a single source of measurement error such as that from trials (test-retest). Generalizability theory (G-theory) is a statistical technique that allows for the examination of different sources of measurement error simultaneously in a single analysis. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the different sources of error seen in the assessment of BC. A secondary purpose was to determine the appropriate number of trials required of each assessment in order to gain a reliable BC measure. METHODS: This measurement study included 38 participants who had been assessed on two different occasions (in the same week) and on each of four different BC field METHODS: percent body fat (PBF) by skinfold technique (SF), waist circumference (WC), body mass index (BMI), and PBF by handheld bioelectrical impedance (HH). Two different G-theory designs were used in this research. First, a two facet crossed p×t×m design was analyzed treating all facets as random. Then, the same design was performed treating BC method as a fixed facet. In both designs, a generalizability study (G-study) and decision study (D-study) were conducted. Three different software packages were used to ensure consistent and valid results (GENOVA, SPSS macro, and SAS GLM). RESULTS: The completely random design showed the largest variance component for persons (p) (57.8%). Variance components for both trials (t) and BC method (m) were negligible. However, the interaction between persons and method (p×m) was substantial (38.6%). D-study results indicated reliable BC scores for measurement designs administered once using three different methods (G=.803). The mixed design, averaging over BC method, showed majority of variance due to persons (98.5%) and each of the four BC methods showed reliable scores with a single trial (G’s>.945). CONCLUSIONS: Results from this G-theory study indicate that the measurement equivalence of commonly administered BC assessments may be inadequate. Although different BC assessments individually are reliable, for dependable BC trait generalization to the universe, a minimum of three different methods administered once may be required.

Comparison of Musculoskeletal Strength and Body Composition of Hong Kong Chinese Rugby Players, Dragon Boat Paddlers and Controls

Objective: This study used a cross-sectional experimental design to assess musculoskeletal strength, body composition and physical activity levels in Hong Kong Chinese dragon boat paddlers, rugby team players and controls. Methods: Sixty undergraduate male students (rugby players, n=20, dragon boat, n=20 and controls, n=20) were recruited from a local university. A One-way ANCOVA model was designed with bone strength, muscle strength, flexibility and body composition scores as the independent variables and the three groups as dependent variables. Results: Significant between-group differences in handgrip strength, flexibility, fat free mass and percentage of body fat were noted. There was a concomitant higher fat free mass in the rugby and dragon boat players when compared to the controls, whist the percentage of body fat was significantly lower for these two groups. Flexibility was also higher in the rugby and dragon boat players when compared to the control group participants. The percentage of time spent in MVPA between rugby, dragon boat and controls was analyzed using one-way ANOVA. Conclusion: These preliminary findings provide evidence into the benefits of university sports participation and much needed evidence in the role sports such as dragon boat and rugby play in musculoskeletal strength, flexibility and the possible effect on body composition.

Effects of feed on plasma leptin and ghrelin concentrations in crib-biting horses

The reason why some horses begin an oral stereotypy such as crib-biting is not known. The aim of this study was to measure ghrelin and leptin concentrations in plasma concentrations to determine whether there is a link to crib-biting in horses. Plasma samples (n=3) were collected for plasma leptin and ghrelin assay before and during the morning first feeding in the usual environments of 15 horses with stereotypic crib-biting and 15 matched controls. The crib-biting intensity was scored in three 5-min phases, and a subgroup of verified crib-biters (n=8) was defined as horses that were seen to crib-bite during this study.Plasma leptin concentration (mean and 95% confidence interval [CI]) was lower in horses observed to crib-bite before and after feeding of concentrates (1.2, CI 0.8–1.7ng/mL and 1.0, CI 0.6–1.7) than in non-crib-biters (2.3, CI 1.6–3.4 and 2.3, CI 1.6–3.4ng/mL, respectively) and correlated negatively with crib-biting intensity. Crib-biting intensity was significantly higher shortly after feeding than before or 30min later. Plasma ghrelin concentration was significantly higher before feeding concentrate than before hay feeding or after the concentrate, but did not differ between groups. There was a significant negative correlation between body composition score and plasma ghrelin concentration. These findings suggest that leptin concentrations may be associated with crib-biting behaviour in horses.

Effect of ‘Water Induced Thermogenesis’ on Body Weight, Body Mass Index and Body Composition of Overweight Subjects

Drinking lots of water is commonly suggested as a part of weight loss regimens. However, only few systematic studies have addressed this notion. In this study, the effect of drinking 1500 ml of water, over and above the daily water intake on body weight, body mass index (BMI) and body composition of overweight subjects was assessed. To evaluate the role of drinking excessive water in weight reduction and body fat reduction of overweight subjects. This study was conducted on 50 overweight girls for eight weeks, during which they were instructed to drink 500 ml of water, three times a day, half an hour before breakfast, lunch and dinner, which was over and above their daily water intake. Body weight was measured in kilograms (kgs). BMI was calculated as weight in kilograms, which was divided by the square of height in metres. Body composition score was calculated as a sum of skin fold thickness in millimetres at three different sites, which was measured by using skin fold calipers. Pre and post-study body weight, body mass index and body composition scores were measured. SPSS, version 14.0.1 and paired t-test were used to find out the statistical significance of the results. The mean values of the pre-study and post-study body weight, body mass index and body composition scores were 65.86 kg and 64.42 kg, 26.7002 and 26.1224 and 79.626 mm and 76.578 mm respectively. All the three results were highly significant statistically. The decrease in body weight, body mass index and body composition scores of overweight subjects at the end of study period establishes the role of water induced thermogenesis in weight reduction of overweight subjects.

Performance of rearing female hoggets under different feeding strategies

The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of Texel × Ile de France female hoggets on pearl millet (Pennisetum americanum (L.) Leeke) pastures fed supplementation with cassava meal or corn gluten. It was used a completely randomized experimental design, with three treatments (feed strategies) and two area replications. Feed strategies consisted of supplementation of the pastures with cassava meal or corn gluten in comparison to exclusive pasture. Supplements were given daily at 9:00 a.m. at quantity of 1% of the body weight (BW). The lambs on corn gluten supplementation presented greater daily weight gain and greater per area weight gain. Use of supplementation did not permit to increase pasture stocking rate, however. In vitro digestibility and chemical composition of the harvested forage was similar (crude protein, neutral detergent fiber) among groups. At the end of the experiment, all feed strategies were efficient in promoting weight greater than 60% of the mature weight, showing that the lambs are able for mating. Body condition score (BCS) of lambs under cassava meal supplementation was 3.0 whereas body composition score of the other lambs was 2.8. Exclusive use of pearl millet can provide dry matter requirement of the lambs.