Normal Body Mass Index Range Research Articles

Frequency of eating home cooked meals and potential benefits for diet and health: cross-sectional analysis of a population-based cohort study

BackgroundReported associations between preparing and eating home cooked food, and both diet and health, are inconsistent. Most previous research has focused on preparing, rather than eating, home cooked food; used small, non-population based samples; and studied markers of nutrient intake, rather than overall diet quality or health. We aimed to assess whether frequency of consuming home cooked meals was cross-sectionally associated with diet quality and cardio-metabolic health.MethodsWe used baseline data from a United Kingdom population-based cohort study of adults aged 29 to 64 years (n = 11,396). Participants self-reported frequency of consuming home cooked main meals. Diet quality was assessed using the Mediterranean Diet Score, Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) score, fruit and vegetable intake calculated from a 130-item food frequency questionnaire, and plasma vitamin C. Markers of cardio-metabolic health were researcher-measured body mass index (BMI), percentage body fat, haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), cholesterol and hypertension. Differences across the three exposure categories were assessed using linear regression (diet variables) and logistic regression (health variables).ResultsEating home cooked meals more frequently was associated with greater adherence to DASH and Mediterranean diets, greater fruit and vegetable intakes and higher plasma vitamin C, in adjusted models. Those eating home cooked meals more than five times, compared with less than three times per week, consumed 62.3 g more fruit (99% CI 43.2 to 81.5) and 97.8 g more vegetables (99% CI 84.4 to 111.2) daily. More frequent consumption of home cooked meals was associated with greater likelihood of having normal range BMI and normal percentage body fat. Associations with HbA1c, cholesterol and hypertension were not significant in adjusted models. Those consuming home cooked meals more than five times, compared with less than three times per week, were 28% less likely to have overweight BMI (99% CI 8 to 43%), and 24% less likely to have excess percentage body fat (99% CI 5 to 40%).ConclusionsIn a large population-based cohort study, eating home cooked meals more frequently was associated with better dietary quality and lower adiposity. Further prospective research is required to identify whether consumption of home cooked meals has causal effects on diet and health.

Pericardial Fat Thickness Increases with Greater Burden of Adverse Metabolic Factors Among Adults with Normal-Range Body Mass Index: The Framingham Heart Study

Introduction: Greater burden of pericardial fat is associated with increased body mass index (BMI). Obesity is associated with unfavorable metabolic characteristics such as hypertension, dyslipidem...

English

Proper diet is important in preventing many diseases, and colorectal cancer is no exception. The aim of this study was to identify major dietary patterns among the general population in Arusha Tanzania to determine whether diet is one of the predictors contributing to the observed pattern and distribution of colorectal cancer in Tanzania. A population based cross-sectional study recruited a sample of self-reported individuals residing in four wards of the City of Arusha, Tanzania. A total of 549 participants were recruited on a voluntary basis. The Food Frequency Questionnaire and the World Health Organization (WHO) Step® survey tool were used to collect data. Factor analysis, Pearson correlation (Pearson’s r), and logistic regression were used to analyze the data.Two major dietary patterns, namely “healthy” and “western”, and one minor pattern existed among the study population. The healthy pattern was generally associated with females (56.2%, p=0.074), people with primary level of education (62.7%, p=0.667), age category of 25 to 44 (66.3%, p= 0.370), normal range body mass index (BMI) (42.4%, p=0.967), self-employed (78.5%), non-smokers (86.6%) and non-alcohol drinkers (51%), although the differences were not statistically significant. Western dietary pattern adherence was associated with area of residence (p=0.0001), gender (p=0.003) and BMI status (p=0.04) in univariate analysis. In multivariate analysis, higher odds were observed in individuals aged 25 to 34 (OR=1.104, 95%, CI(0.537-2.2267) and 45 to 54 OR=1.091, 95%, CI(0.521-2.283), alcohol drinkers (OR=1.2, 95%, CI(0.767-1.877), people with college or high levels of education (OR=0. 853, 95%, CI(0.260-2.803) and OR=0.550, 95%,CI(0. 159-1.897), smokers (OR=1.030, 95%, CI(0.519-2.044) and overweight or obese (OR=2.676, 95%, CI(0.981-7.298) and OR=2.045, 95%, CI(0.767-5.454). These data support our previous hypothesis that diet could be an important potential predictor of the previously observed pattern and distribution of colorectal cancer in Tanzania. Key words: Diet, colon cancer, rectal cancer, Tanzania, population.

Body mass index and distribution of body fat can influence sensory detection and pain sensitivity.

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of body fat percentage and its distribution on sensory detection and pain sensitivity responses to experimentally induced noxious stimuli in otherwise pain-free individuals. Seventy-two participants were divided into three equal groups according to their body mass index (BMI: normal, overweight and obese). Percentage body fat was estimated using a four-site skinfold method. Measurements of cold pressor pain threshold, tolerance and intensity; contact thermal sensory detection and heat pain threshold and tolerance (TSA-II - NeuroSensory Analyzer, Medoc); and blunt pressure pain threshold (algometer, Somedic SenseLab AB) were taken at the waist and thenar eminence. Mean±SD pressure pain threshold of the obese group (620.72±423.81 kPa) was significantly lower than normal (1154.70±847.18 kPa) and overweight (1285.14±998.89 kPa) groups. Repeated measures ANOVA found significant effects for site for cold detection threshold (F1,68 =8.3, p=0.005) and warm detection threshold (F1,68 =38.69, p=0.001) with waist having lower sensory detection thresholds than thenar eminence. For heat pain threshold, there were significant effects for site (F1,68 =4.868, p=0.031) which was lower for waist compared with thenar eminence (mean difference=0.89°C). Obese individuals were more sensitive than non-obese individuals to pressure pain but not to thermal pain. Body sites may vary in their response to different types and intensities of stimuli. The inconsistency of findings within and between research studies should catalyse further research in this field. This study provided evidence that body mass index and distribution of body fat can influence sensory detection and pain sensitivity. Obese individuals were more sensitive than normal range body mass index individuals to pressure pain but not to thermal pain. Pain response varied according to subcutaneous body fat at different body sites. These findings strengthen arguments that weight loss should be a significant aspect of a pain management programme for obese pain patients.

An Analysis of Real, Self-Perceived, and Desired BMI: Is There a Need for Regular Screening to Correct Misperceptions and Motivate Weight Reduction?

We study the relationship among real, self-perceived, and desired body mass index (BMI) in 21,288 adults from the Mexican National Health and Nutrition Survey 2012, analyzing the effect of sex and diagnosis of obesity/overweight by a healthcare professional. Self-perceived and desired BMI are analyzed via a figure rating scale question and compared to real BMI. Only 8.8 and 6.1% of the diagnosed and non-diagnosed obese, respectively, correctly identify themselves as such. For the obese, 20.2% of non-diagnosed and 12.7% of diagnosed perceive themselves as normal or underweight, while 49.1 and 37% of these are satisfied with their perceived BMI. Only 7.8% of the obese, whose real and perceived BMI coincide, have a desired BMI equal to their perceived one. In contrast, 43.2% of the obese, whose perceived BMI is normal, have a desired BMI the same as their perceived one. Although the average desired body figure corresponds to the normal BMI range, misperceptions of BMI correlate strongly with the degree of satisfaction associated with perceived BMI, with larger misperceptions indicating a higher degree of satisfaction. Hypothesizing that the differences between real, perceived, and desired weight are a motivator for weight change, one potential intervention could be the periodic assessment of real, perceived, and desired BMI in order to correct misleading weight misperceptions that could potentially obstruct positive behavioral change.

Equation‐derived body fat percentage indicates metabolic abnormalities among normal‐weight adults in a rural Chinese population

Obesity classification using body mass index (BMI) may miss subjects with elevated body fat percentage (BF%) and related metabolic risk factors. We aimed to evaluate whether BF% calculated by equations could provide more information about metabolic risks, in addition to BMI classification, in a cross-sectional rural Chinese population. A total of 2,990 men and women aged 18-80 years were included in this study. BF% was calculated using previously validated Chinese-specific equations. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to the updated National Cholesterol Education Program Panel III criteria for Asian Americans. In total, 33.6% men and 32.9% women were overweight/obese according to BMI classification. Among those within the normal BMI range, 25.4% men and 54.7% women were indicated as overweight or obese given their elevated BF% (men: BF% ≥ 20%; women: BF% ≥ 30%). In both men and women, compared with those with normal BMI and BF% (NBB), subjects with normal BMI but elevated BF% (NBOB) were more likely to carry abnormal serum lipid profile and to have higher risks of metabolic syndrome. The multivariable adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) for metabolic syndrome were 5.45 (2.37-9.53, P < 0.001) and 5.65 (3.36-9.52, P < 0.001) for men and women, respectively. Moreover, the women with NBOB also showed higher blood pressure and serum uric acid than women with NBB. Our study suggested that high BF% based on equations may indicate adverse metabolic profiles among rural Chinese adults with a normal BMI.

Family Environment and Childhood Obesity: A New Framework with Structural Equation Modeling.

The main purpose of the current article is to introduce a framework of the complexity of childhood obesity based on the family environment. A conceptual model that quantifies the relationships and interactions among parental socioeconomic status, family food security level, child’s food intake and certain aspects of parental feeding behaviour is presented using the structural equation modeling (SEM) concept. Structural models are analysed in terms of the direct and indirect connections among latent and measurement variables that lead to the child weight indicator. To illustrate the accuracy, fit, reliability and validity of the introduced framework, real data collected from 630 families from Urumqi (Xinjiang, China) were considered. The framework includes two categories of data comprising the normal body mass index (BMI) range and obesity data. The comparison analysis between two models provides some evidence that in obesity modeling, obesity data must be extracted from the dataset and analysis must be done separately from the normal BMI range. This study may be helpful for researchers interested in childhood obesity modeling based on family environment.

Pre-pregnancy weight change and incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus: A finding from a prospective cohort study

In a population-based cohort study we examined the associations between early adult pre-pregnancy weight change and the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). The study included 3111 women from the 1973-78 cohort of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health. These women have been surveyed regularly since 1996. Women without diabetes and GDM were followed-up between 2003 and 2012. Generalized estimating equations were used to assess the effect of baseline (1996, mean age 20years) and pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) and the pre-pregnancy weight changes on the incidence of GDM. The full models were adjusted for sociodemographic and lifestyle factors. From 2003 to 2012, 229GDM cases (4.4%) were reported in 5242 pregnancies. Relative to normal BMI women, obese women at baseline (RR: 1.8, 95% CI: 1.1, 2.8) and prior to pregnancy (RR: 2.7, 95% CI: 2.0, 3.6) were at greater risk of GDM. Weight gains prior to each study pregnancy were strongly associated with increased GDM risk with an adjusted RR ranging from 2.0 to 2.9. Within under/normal range of BMI, women with a moderate/high (>2.5%/year) weight gain had 2.7 (95% CI: 1.3, 5.5) times the risk of GDM compared with women with stable weight. Early adult weight gain, even within normal BMI range, is an important risk factor for the development of GDM. Weight gain prevention from early adulthood to prior to pregnancy appears to be the main strategy to prevent the incidence of GDM.

Association between body mass index, diet and dental caries in Grade 6 boys in Medina, Saudi Arabia.

The prevalence of obesity is increasing in Saudi Arabia and although caries is associated with obesity, this association has not been investigated in Medina. This study aimed to determine the association between dental caries, body mass index (BMI) and dietary habits of 12-year-old boys from four geographically distinct schools in Medina. Mean BMI was 22.17 kg/m² (± 5.15); 41% had normal BMI, 25% were overweight and 30% were obese. The mean Decayed, Missing and Filled Teeth (DMFT) score was 1.46 (± 2.04). Those in the normal BMI range had a significantly higher prevalence of caries (57%) and DMFT score (1.92) compared with the overweight and obese groups (P < 0.05). These differences remained significant after controlling for possible confounders via linear regression. Mean BMI was significantly lower in boys with severe compared with mild or no caries. Normal and underweight participants had an almost 2 times greater risk of developing caries compared with their overweight and obese counterparts. The children had poor dietary habits and there were no significant associations between dietary variables and caries.

Body Image Satisfaction Among Blacks.

Satisfaction with body image is a factor related to health outcomes. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between body image satisfaction and body size perception in an urban, Black community sample in New Orleans, Louisiana. Only 42.2% of respondents were satisfied with their body image and 44.1% correctly perceived their body size. Most respondents chose an ideal image in the normal body mass index range with over half choosing an ideal image smaller than their actual size. Misperception was greatest among the heaviest respondents. Females, those who overestimated their size, those with an education beyond high school, and those who were active in order to lose weight were less likely to be satisfied ( p < .001). Those who were active but not trying to lose weight were more likely to be satisfied ( p < .001). This suggests that perception of and satisfaction with body size may play a role in health behavior decisions.

Burden of Adverse Metabolic Factors Is Associated With Increased Left Ventricular Concentricity in Adults With Normal-Range Body Mass Index: The Framingham Heart Study

Introduction: Persons with normal-range body mass index (BMI) but adverse metabolic characteristics associated with obesity have been described as metabolically-obese normal weight (MONW). We sough...

Eating Disorders in Adolescent and Young Adult Males: Presenting Characteristics

PurposeData on the clinical characteristics of adolescent males with eating disorders are limited. The purpose of this study was to describe the demographic characteristics, presenting vital signs, laboratory results, and relevant risk factors for eating disorders among males presenting to an outpatient adolescent and young adult medicine practice. MethodsRetrospective chart review of male eating disorder patients aged of 11–25 years presenting to the University of California, San Francisco Adolescent and Young Adult Eating Disorder Program between June 1, 2011, and November 1, 2014. Charts were reviewed for demographic and clinical characteristics and risk factors for eating disorders. ResultsThirty-three patients were included; mean age was 16 years. Patients presented with mean heart rate was 58.7 bpm, and orthostatic heart rate change was 22 bpm, with 51.5% meeting Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine hospital admission criteria. Mean percent of median body mass index was 88%. Of patients with available laboratory data, 33.3% were anemic, 23.8% leukopenic, 19.0% thrombocytopenic, and 10.0% neutropenic. Half had a history of a psychiatric disorder; 41.5% had a history of overweight or obesity, and 12.1% had a family history of an eating disorder. The DSM-IV-TR and DSM-5 diagnostic criteria were retrospectively applied to patients, with an increase in diagnosis of anorexia nervosa from 36.4% to 48.5%. Diagnoses of Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified, now Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder in DSM-5, decreased from 62.6% to 45.5%. ConclusionsMale patients with eating disorders presented with significant abnormalities; patients were bradycardic and orthostatic; and more than half met Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine admission criteria. Patients with available laboratory data demonstrated significant abnormalities consistent with malnutrition. Given that eating disorders are less likely to be detected in males, it is important to recognize early signs of malnutrition, particularly in those who present within the normal body mass index range for age.

Abstract P239: Burden of Adverse Metabolic Factors is Associated with Increased Left Ventricular Concentricity in Adults with Normal-range Body Mass Index: The Framingham Heart Study

Introduction: Persons with normal-range body mass index (BMI) but adverse metabolic characteristics associated with obesity have been described as metabolically-obese normal weight (MONW). We sought to determine whether adverse metabolic profile is associated with alterations in left ventricular (LV) structure or function among adults with normal BMI. Methods: From the 1794 Framingham Offspring cohort adults who underwent cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), we identified 446 free of non-skin cancer and prevalent clinical cardiovascular disease (CVD) who had 18.5≤BMI&lt;25.0 kg/m2 and complete covariates. We calculated a metabolic score (MS) where 1 point was assigned for each of: a) fasting glucose≥100 mg/dL or diabetes; b) SBP≥140 or DBP≥90 mmHg or antihypertensive treatment; c) TG≥150 or HDL_C &lt;40(M)/&lt;50(W) mg/dL or lipid treatment; d) HOMA-IR≥2.5; e) waist circumference ≥102/88cm for M/W. Participants were stratified as MS0 (no points), MS1 (exactly 1 point), or MS2+ (≥2 points). LV mass (LVM), end-diastolic volume (EDV), ejection fraction (EF), and concentricity (LVM/EDV) were measured from breathhold cine SSFP CMR scans; we calculated LVM/BSA. Linear regression was used to compare MS1 and MS2+ groups to the MS0 group. We also tested for linear trend across metabolic groups. CMR variables were adjusted for sex, age, heart rate (HR) and body size (BSA); LVM/BSA was adjusted for sex, age, HR only. Results: LV concentricity increased with worsening metabolic status (see Table); this was driven by lower LV EDV, not increased LVM. LVM did not differ across (trend) or between MS-groups. LVEDV decreased across groups but only MS2 differed significantly from MS0. LVEF increased slightly but significantly across MS-groups. Conclusions: In a community-dwelling cohort, among participants who were free of cancer and clinical CVD and had normal BMI, worsening metabolic profile was associated with adverse remodeling of the left ventricle, reflected by greater LV concentricity.

Abdominal Fat and Muscle Measurement on Routine CT: Is It Useful?

Defining body composition has always been challenging and a wide range of methods have been developed. Amongthem, computed tomography (CT) is on the rise as a strong correlation exists between tissues at abdominal levels and the whole body composition[1]. Formulas link muscle and fat area at the third lumbar level (L3) with total fat mass and fat-free mass (mostly muscles and organs) in kilograms[2]. An index of muscularity (IMS) was also computed by dividing the muscle area at L3 by the height squared (cm2/m2). This technique is mainly used in cancer studies. Imaging methods such as CT and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have shown that muscle and fat behave differently in cancer-related weight loss, part of the well-known cancer cachexia. Here, we confirmed that classic tools such as body weight, body mass index (BMI) and body surface area (BSA) are not sufficient for evaluating body composition in a cohort of 152 colorectal and lung cancer patients. For instance, in normal BMI range (18.5–24.9kg/m2) and overweight/obese category (>25kg/m2), respectively 53% and 30% were sarcopenic. Recent studies have shown that the role of muscle mass and quality is critical. Sarcopenia, used here as a synonym of low muscularity, is strongly linked to prognosis and dose-limiting toxicities of chemotherapy. That is consistent with different types of cancer and therapy[3]. Further more, these associations between CT-defined body composition and cancer out comes were validated in more than 50 studies, including thousands of patients all over the world. CT-based method takes advantage of images that are acquired in standard care for staging or follow-up of cancer patients. It is a prognosis tool that could also improve scaling of treatments. The field is promising and it is highly realistic for routine use in any hospital that has a computer and a CT.

Transumbilical videolaparoscopic (single site) liver biopsy with laparoscopy equipment.

INTRODUCTION:Liver diseases have a high incidence in the whole world. In order to diagnose, stage and follow these diseases it is often necessary the execution of liver biopsy. There are many possible ways to perform the procedure and the rise of transumbilical endoscopic surgery (TUES) brings to the medical practice an additional good option.MATERIALS AND METHODS:The study is prospective, nonrandomised and cohort type. It involves 42 patients who underwent liver biopsy through TUES using conventional video laparoscopic material.RESULTS:Among the patients 18 (42.86%) underwent isolated liver biopsy and 24 (57.14%) to liver biopsy associated with umbilical hernia repair. Within those, 27 (64.28%) were male and 15 (35.71%) female. The average body mass index (BMI) was of 27.26 kg/m2, 10 were in the normal BMI range, 24 (57.14%) were in the overweight range, 6 (14.28%) had class I obesity and 2 (4.76%) had class II obesity. In none of the cases the procedure was converted to regular video laparoscopy, all the patients were discharged in the day after the procedure and reported a satisfactory aesthetic result.CONCLUSIONS:The study shows that liver biopsy using TUES has applicability and good results, including in obese patients that would have a contraindication to other methods.

Underweight body mass index is a risk factor of mortality in outpatients with nocturia in Japan

BackgroundAlthough nocturia has been reported to increase mortality in elderly individuals, the particular risk factors that are associated with this event are unclear. Therefore, we evaluated risk factors for death in outpatients with nocturia.MethodsBetween October 2002 and December 2009, 250 consecutive patients with nocturia were enrolled in two general hospitals in Japan. Among them, 193 patients were able to be followed for at least 1 year and up to 9 years (median 4.8 years) if the patients did not die. Mortality rates and risk factors were evaluated in the nocturic outpatients.ResultsTwo- and 5-year survival of the nocturic outpatients was 94.6 % [95 % confidence interval (CI) = 92.2–97.1] and 82.6 % (95 % CI = 75.4–87.8), respectively. Higher Charlson Comorbidity Score, lower body mass index (BMI) and lower Physical Component Summary of Short Form-36 item scores were significantly correlated with mortality (p < 0.0001, p < 0.005 and p < 0.05, respectively) in multivariate analysis. The International Prostate Symptom Score, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Mental or Role/Social Component Summary of Short Form-36 item scores and Nocturnal Polyuria index were not significantly correlated with mortality. The mortality rate was significantly higher in subjects with an underweight BMI (<18.50) compared with a normal range (18.50–24.99) or overweight (≥25.00) BMI [p < 0.00005, hazard ratio (HR) = 5.84, 95 % CI = 2.03–16.8; p < 0.0005, HR = 5.92, 95 % CI = 1.94–18.0].ConclusionsAdditional attention is required for nocturic outpatients with not only a high Charlson Comorbidity Score but also an underweight BMI because of their high mortality. Large prospective studies are warranted to validate this finding and extend more.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13104-015-1456-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Survey About the Cancer Risk of Renal Transplant Recipients

IntroductionThere is a greater risk of malignant tumors developing in kidney transplant patients. Due to this, early detection is of outmost importance, in which screening tests play an important role. MethodsWe have conducted a survey among renal transplant recipients to assess individual risk factors. ResultsOf 530 respondents, 55 developed post-transplantation tumors. Cutaneous tumors (36%) and kidney cancer (16%) were the most frequent. In total, 59% of recipients were over the age of 50, 61.7% were over the normal body-mass index range, 40.3% smoked or used to smoke, and 21.8% had diabetes. Five patients had hepatitis B virus and 11 were hepatitis C virus–positive. Malignancies developed significantly more frequent in men than in women (P = .04). The progressing of age (P = .0001) and the time elapsed after transplantation (P < .01) also were associated with a significant increase in the occurrence of post-transplantation tumors. ConclusionWe have created a database to facilitate a more personalized and efficient screening program for immunocompromised patients.

To be or not to be physically active: Insights for a real chance to have an appropriate body mass in a sample of teachers.

Studies on the relationship between physical activity (PA) and being overweight/obese are inconclusive. The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of excess body weight (EBW) and its association with daily PA level in a sample of 1506 Brazilian teachers. The PA level was analyzed with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and EBW was categorized as a body mass index (BMI) ≥25 kg/m2 and called 'overweight'. Chi-squared test and odds ratios (OR) were applied in the analysis. The prevalence of persons who were overweight was lower as a function of higher PA levels and higher PA levels resulted in a lower prevalence of overweight for men and women, respectively. The authors found that for men, moderate (OR: 1.69; P = 0.03) and high (OR: 2.57; P = 0.002) PA levels were predictive for being in the normal body mass index (BMI) range. In women, a greater association of being in the normal BMI range was reported only for a moderate PA level (OR: 1.43; P = 0.004). Higher daily PA levels are associated with being in the normal BMI range. To date, these findings will have important public health implications for an effective plan for the prevention of weight gain in Brazilian teachers.

Impact of BMI on contraceptive choice

A woman's body mass index (BMI) can provide a challenge when prescribing contraception. This article by Paula Briggs aims to support practice nurses to select appropriate and safe methods for women outside of the normal BMI range

Assessment of Obesity with Anthropometric and Densitometry Measurements in Spinal Cord Injury

Aim: Assessment of obesity by anthropometric and densito-metric measurements in spinal cord injury. Materials and Methods: Thirty-one subjects with complete spinal cord injury (AIS A) separated according to the neurological level in group A (n = 16, high paraplegia: above the seventh thoracic neurological levels) and group B (n = 15, low paraplegia) were compared with 33 controls. For the assessment of obesity we used body mass index (BMI) and dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA, Norland) to study all subjects. Using the DXA method we calculated the total body fat in grams (fat mass). Results: BMI values for paraplegic population were statistically lower compared to control group (23.9 ± 3 and 26.2 ± 4, respectively, p = 0.025) and within the normal range of BMI. However, the comparison according to neurological level of injury revealed a significant difference between high paraplegics and controls (22.9 ± 2.2 and 26.1 ± 4, respectively, p = 0.021). Using DXA fat was increased in body composition in paraplegics compared with controls (23071.38 ± 9485 and 19015 ± 6553, respectively, p <0.05). The correlation of BMI with fat mass was statistically significant paraplegics and controls (r = 0.57, p = 0001 and r = 0.73, p = 0.0001, respectively). In paraplegics total fat measured by DXA was increased at any given BMI value compared to the control group (r2 = 0.3 vs. r2 = 0.54, respectively). Further analysis between the two paraplegic groups showed a significant correlation between BMI and fat mass only in the group of low paraplegia (r = 0.72, p = 0.004). Conclusion: The BMI is often used as a measure of obesity but assess body composition inadequately. The whole body DXA gives valuable clinical information regardless of the neurological level of injury.