ARS | Publication request: ASSESSMENT OF BODY COMPOSITION IN CHILDREN WITH PRADER-WILLI SYNDROME OR SIMPLE OBESITY.

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: April 20, 2003
Publication Date: August 6, 2003
Citation: Ellis, K.J. 2003. Assessment of body composition in children with Prader-Willi Syndrome or simple obesity. In: Eiholzer, U., I'Allemand, D., Zipf, W.B., editors. Prader-Willi Syndrome as a model for obesity. New York:Karger. p. 49-60.

Technical Abstract: While childhood obesity may not have immediate adverse health effects for many children, it is often predicitve of obesity in adulthood with its clearly associated risks for various chronic diseases. However, there are some clinical conditions in childhood for which excess adiposity is of concern, and one of these is a genetic condition called Prader-Willi syndrome. The purpose of this prsentation is to present both common or traditional body composition assays as well as those that are under development for use in children. The accuracy, precision, and potential bias of these assays for body fat mass or the degree of body fatness will be presented. These body composition assays include weight-for-height indices, deuterium dilution for total body water, dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, bioelectrical impedance analysis, air displacement plethysmography, photon reflectance, computer tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging. The advantages and disadvantages among these techniques will be presented. Reference ranges for normal body composition for children and Z score models for assessing body fatness in children with diseases will be examined.