Field methods in the evaluation of obesity in children and adolescents

In large samples, the methods for obtaining information on obesity need to be simple, inexpensive and reasonably accurate. This review deals with articles focusing on various field methods for the evaluation of body composition. The Bioimpedance and Near Infrared methods are simple to execute but th...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Sampei, Miriam Akemi [UNIFESP], Sigulem, Dirce Maria [UNIFESP]
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2009
País:Brasil
Institución:Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP)
Repositorio:Repositório Institucional da UNIFESP
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:repositorio.unifesp.br:11600/4943
Acceso en línea:http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1519-38292009000100003
http://repositorio.unifesp.br/handle/11600/4943
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Adolescent
Body Mass Index
Obesity
Methods
Adolescente
Índice de Massa Corporal
Obesidade
Métodos
Descripción
Sumario:In large samples, the methods for obtaining information on obesity need to be simple, inexpensive and reasonably accurate. This review deals with articles focusing on various field methods for the evaluation of body composition. The Bioimpedance and Near Infrared methods are simple to execute but their advantage in relation to Body Mass Index is obscure. Although the Bioimpedance and near infrared methods provide estimates of fat content, they may be no better than waist circumference measurements. The latter does not distinguish body fat but points to a more direct relationship concerning health risk. Regardless of the advantages, waist circumference continues to be under discussion: there is a lack of standardization and no reference populations or cutoff points have been established. No perfect method exists, but the number of errors could be reduced, if care were taken in drawing up protocols, standardization, and the analysis of sample properties.