Sonographic and Anthropometric Measurements for Body Composition and Their Relationship with Functioning in Adolescent Obesity

Abstract

Objective

Obesity is one of the most common chronic diseases seen in children and adolescents. This study aims to examine the impact of obesity on body composition, assessed by sonographic and anthropometric measurements, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in adolescents.

Methods

Anthropometric measurements, sonographic measurements of subcutaneous fat, quadriceps muscle, Achilles tendon thickness, and HRQoL were performed in children between 12–18 years of age. Comparisons between adolescents with obesity and normal body mass index (BMI) were examined.

Results

A total of 300 adolescents with similar physical activity levels, 28.7% with obesity, were enrolled. The thickness of mid-forearm/mid-thigh subcutaneous fat tissue and quadriceps muscle was significantly higher in participants with obesity (p≤0.001). Moderate-to-strong correlation with BMI and waist circumference was observed (r>0.40, p<0.01). Participants with longer duration of obesity had thicker quadriceps muscle irrespective of the severity of obesity or presence of metabolic syndrome. Achilles tendon thickness did not differ between the groups. HRQoL was significantly lower in adolescents with obesity and indicated a negative moderate correlation between physical functioning and subcutaneous fat thickness (r<− 0.50, p<0.01).

Conclusions

An important relationship between sonographic and anthropometric measurements, and physical functioning was demonstrated in adolescents. Ultrasound seems to have a role in the evaluation of body composition in obesity beyond what is captured by overall BMI. Significantly increased quadriceps muscle thickness in adolescents with obesity, coupled with its relation to the duration of obesity, implies potential temporal association between excess body weight and adaptation of quadriceps muscle.

Zusammenfassung

Ziel

Untersuchung des Einflusses von Adipositas auf Körperzusammensetzung und gesundheitsbezogene Lebensqualität (HRQoL) bei Jugendlichen mittels sonographischer und anthropometrischer Messungen.

Methoden

Durchgeführt wurden anthropometrische und sonographische Messungen von subkutanem Fett, Quadrizepsmuskel, Achillessehne sowie HRQoL-Evaluationen bei 12–18-Jährigen. Vergleiche zwischen adipösen Jugendlichen und solchen mit normalem BMI wurden analysiert.

Ergebnisse

300 Jugendliche, 28,7% mit Adipositas, wurden erfasst. Die Dicke von subkutanem Fett und Quadrizepsmuskel war bei Adipösen signifikant höher (p≤0,001). Es zeigte sich eine moderate bis starke Korrelation mit BMI und Taillenumfang (r>0,40, p<0,01). Bei längerer Adipositasdauer war die Quadrizepsdicke unabhängig von der Adipositasschwere oder dem metabolischen Syndrom erhöht. Achillessehnendicke unterschied sich nicht zwischen den Gruppen. HRQoL war bei adipösen Jugendlichen signifikant niedriger und korrelierte negativ mit subkutaner Fettstärke (r<− 0,50, p<0,01).

Schlussfolgerungen

Die Studie zeigt eine wichtige Beziehung zwischen Körpermessungen und körperlicher Funktionsfähigkeit. Ultraschall liefert zusätzliche Erkenntnisse zur Körperzusammensetzung, die über BMI hinausgehen. Die Zunahme der Quadrizepsdicke bei langer Adipositasdauer deutet auf eine Anpassung an Übergewicht hin.

Keywords

body mass index - health-related quality of life - childhood - obesity - ultrasound - adolescent

Schlüsselwörter

Body-Mass-Index - gesundheitsbezogene lebensqualität - kindheit - adipositas - ultraschall - Jugendliche

Publication History

Article published online:
16 January 2025

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