Associations between anthropometry, body composition, and body image in athletes: a systematic review.

Introduction: Poor body image is a potent risk factor for disordered eating and eating disorders. Athletes are a population at increased risk for eating disorders despite reports of lower body image concerns compared to non-athletes. Body size and composition may influence an athlete's susceptibility to poor body image. Methods: Five electronic databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus) were searched to systematically evaluate the literature regarding the association between body measures (i.e., anthropometric and body composition indicators) and body image in athletes. The systematic review was completed following PRISMA guidelines and 27 cross-sectional studies were identified for inclusion and evaluated using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist for Analytical Cross-Sectional Studies. Results: Studies differed in methodological assessment of anthropometry or body composition (i.e., self-reported versus researcher-measured), methods for evaluating aspects of body image, geographic location, and sport type. Higher body mass index (BMI) or percent body fat (%BF) was significantly associated with greater body dissatisfaction in 16 of 22 studies (72.7%). Positive associations between body measures and aspects of negative body image were most consistently observed among studies that assessed BMI based on self-reported heights and weights, while significant associations between body composition measures (e.g., %BF, fat mass, fat-free mass) were less common. Four of seven studies assessing relationships between BMI and an aspect of positive body image reported significant inverse relationships, while three revealed insignificant associations. Discussion: Overall, higher BMI and body fat were associated with body dissatisfaction among athletes. Future studies are needed to confirm these findings within focused populations and utilizing body composition methods (e.g., bioelectrical impedance techniques). Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, CRD42023446518.

Malnutrition and pectoralis muscle index in medical intensive care unit patients: A matched cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Muscle assessment is an important component of nutrition assessment. The Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) consortium recently underscored the need for more objective muscle assessment methods in clinical settings. Various assessment techniques are available; however, many have limitations in clinical populations. Computed tomography (CT) scans, obtained for diagnostic reasons, could serve multiple purposes, including muscle measurement for nutrition assessment. Although CT scans of the chest are commonly performed clinically, there is little research surrounding the utility of pectoralis muscle measurements in nutrition assessment. The primary aim was to determine whether CT-derived measures of pectoralis major cross-sectional area (PMA) and quality (defined as mean pectoralis major Hounsfield units [PMHU]) could be used to identify malnutrition in patients who are mechanically ventilated in an intensive care unit (ICU). A secondary aim was to evaluate the relationship between these measures and clinical outcomes in this population. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 33 pairs of age- and sex-matched adult patients who are being mechanically ventilated in the ICU. Patients were grouped by nutrition status. Analyses were performed to determine differences in PMA and mean PMHU between groups. Associations between muscle and clinical outcomes were also investigated. RESULTS: Compared with nonmalnourished controls, malnourished patients had a significantly lower PMA (P = 0.001) and pectoralis major (PM) index (PMA/height in m2; P = 0.001). No associations were drawn between PM measures and clinical outcomes. CONCLUSION: These findings regarding CT PM measures lay the groundwork for actualizing the GLIM call to action to validate quantitative, objective muscle assessment methods in clinical settings.

Clinical applications of body composition and functional status tools for nutrition assessment of hospitalized adults: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: No global consensus exists on diagnostic criteria for malnutrition. Muscular deficits and functional impairments are major components of available malnutrition diagnostic frameworks because these facets of nutrition status significantly impact outcomes. The purpose of this review is to explore which body composition assessment (BCA) and functional status assessment (FSA) tools are being used for nutrition assessment (NA) and monitoring the response to nutrition interventions (RNIs) in adult inpatients. METHODS: A literature search of Embase, Medline (Ovid), Web of Science, and Cochrane Central was performed to identify studies that used BCA and/or FSA tools for NA (along with an accepted NA diagnostic framework) and/or for monitoring RNI in adult inpatients. RESULTS: The search yielded 3667 articles; 94 were included in the review. The number of studies using BCA and/or FSA tools for NA was 47 and also 47 for monitoring RNI. Seventy-nine percent of studies used bioimpedance for BCA, and 97% that included FSA utilized handgrip strength. When compared against sets of diagnostic criteria, many of the BCA and FSA tools showed promising associations with nutrition status. CONCLUSION: Bioimpedance methods are the most widely used bedside BCA tools, and handgrip strength is the most widely used FSA tool; however, these methods are being used with a variety of protocols, algorithms, and interpretation practices in heterogeneous populations. To create a standardized nutrition status assessment process there is a need for validation studies on bedside methods and the development of globally standardized assessment protocols in clinical inpatient settings.

The bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) international database: aims, scope, and call for data.

BACKGROUND: Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is a technique widely used for estimating body composition and health-related parameters. The technology is relatively simple, quick, and non-invasive, and is currently used globally in diverse settings, including private clinicians' offices, sports and health clubs, and hospitals, and across a spectrum of age, body weight, and disease states. BIA parameters can be used to estimate body composition (fat, fat-free mass, total-body water and its compartments). Moreover, raw measurements including resistance, reactance, phase angle, and impedance vector length can also be used to track health-related markers, including hydration and malnutrition, and disease-prognostic, athletic and general health status. Body composition shows profound variability in association with age, sex, race and ethnicity, geographic ancestry, lifestyle, and health status. To advance understanding of this variability, we propose to develop a large and diverse multi-country dataset of BIA raw measures and derived body components. The aim of this paper is to describe the 'BIA International Database' project and encourage researchers to join the consortium. METHODS: The Exercise and Health Laboratory of the Faculty of Human Kinetics, University of Lisbon has agreed to host the database using an online portal. At present, the database contains 277,922 measures from individuals ranging from 11 months to 102 years, along with additional data on these participants. CONCLUSION: The BIA International Database represents a key resource for research on body composition.

Usability of classic and specific bioelectrical impedance vector analysis in measuring body composition of children.

In this study, we aimed to analyse the relationship between body composition and bioelectrical variables in children and adolescents. The sample was composed of 6801 individuals (4035 males; 2766 females) aged 8-20 years included in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) years 1999-2004. Classic and specific bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA) were applied and compared with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) for the evaluation of fat mass (FM) and fat-free mass (FFM), and bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) for the evaluation of intra-cellular water (ICW), extra-cellular water (ECW), and total body water (TBW). Fat-free mass index (FFMI) was calculated. Spearman's correlation, regression, and depth-depth analyses were applied. The evaluation of body composition with BIVA agreed well with that of DXA or BIS, independently of sex, age, and ethnicity: classic BIVA was mostly sensitive to differences in TBW, ECW/ICW, whereas specific BIVA to differences in %FM, FFMI, and ECW/ICW. The depth-depth analysis confirmed the associations of classic BIVA (coeff. 0.500, p < 0.001), and specific BIVA (coeff. 0.512, p < 0.001), also considering the significant effect of age (p < 0.001). In classic BIVA the association was slightly stronger in females (by 0.03, p = 0.042) and among Blacks (0.06, p = 0.002), whereas in specific BIVA it was stronger by 0.06 (p < 0.001) in females and similar among ethnic groups. The combined use of the two BIVA approaches represents a valuable tool for complete evaluation of body composition in growth studies, for the prevention and monitoring of malnutrition, and the monitoring of the performance in young athletes.

Feasibility of bioimpedance spectroscopy and long-term functional assessment in critically ill children.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Lean body mass loss due to critical illness in childhood could be detrimental to long term outcomes, including functional status and quality of life. We describe the feasibility of body composition assessment by bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), and functional status and quality of life assessments up to 6 months following admission in a cohort of mechanically ventilated, critically ill children. METHODS: We conducted a prospective, observational pilot study in a multidisciplinary PICU. Children aged 1 month to 18 years who required mechanical ventilation, with expected stay in the PICU of at least 5 days were included. We examined the feasibility of consenting, enrolling, and completing baseline and 6-month assessments of BIS variables, Functional Status Scale (FSS), and Pediatric Quality of Life (Peds QL), in eligible patients. RESULTS: Of 32 patients approached, 23 (72%) completed baseline assessments [median (IQR) age 3.4 (1.0, 7.8) years, 14 (61%) male]; 6-month assessments were completed in 15 (65%) enrolled patients. Mean (SD) phase angle at study enrollment was 2.95 (0.93) and the impedance ratio was 0.90 (0.03). Phase angle (rs = -0.58, p = 0.03) and impedance ratio (rs = 0.61, p = 0.02) by BIS were significantly correlated with total FSS at PICU discharge. Median total FSS and FSS tech (feeding and respiratory domains of FSS) scores improved from enrollment [16 (13, 26) and 8 (7, 10)] to 6 months [6 (6, 9) and 2 (2, 4), respectively, p < 0.001]. Median Peds QL total, physical summary and psychosocial summary scores were not significantly different between PICU discharge and 6 months after PICU admission. Correlations between the total 6-month FSS and a) phase angle (-0.45, p = 0.197) and b) impedance ratio (0.56, p = 0.096) at PICU discharge were not significant. CONCLUSIONS: We have demonstrated the feasibility of obtaining bedside BIS measurements in the PICU, and functional and quality of life assessments remotely following PICU discharge. Body composition and long-term assessment of functional outcomes and quality of life must be incorporated in nutrition trials in critically ill children.

Doubly labelled water for determining total energy expenditure in adult critically ill and acute care hospitalized inpatients: A scoping review.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Doubly labelled water (DLW) is considered the reference standard method of measuring total energy expenditure (TEE), but there is limited information on its use in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and acute care setting. This scoping review aims to systematically summarize the available literature on TEE measured using DLW in these contexts. METHODS: Four online databases (MEDLINE, Embase, Emcare and CINAHL) were searched up to Dec 12, 2020. Studies in English were included if they measured TEE using DLW in adults in the ICU and/or acute care setting. Key considerations, concerns and practical recommendations were identified and qualitatively synthesized. RESULTS: The search retrieved 7582 studies and nine studies were included; one in the ICU and eight in the acute care setting. TEE was measured over 7-15-days, in predominantly clinically stable patients. DLW measurements were not commenced until four days post admission or surgery in one study and following a 10-14-day stabilization period on parenteral nutrition (PN) in three studies. Variable dosages of isotopes were administered, and several equations used to calculate TEE. Four main considerations were identified with the use of DLW in these settings: variation in background isotopic abundance; excess isotopes leaving body water as carbon dioxide or water; fluctuations in rates of isotope elimination and costs. CONCLUSION: A stabilization period on intravenous fluid and PN regimens is recommended prior to DLW measurement. The DLW technique can be utilized in medically stable ICU and acute care patients, with careful considerations given to protocol design.

Body composition assessment after pediatric liver transplant.

BACKGROUND: Pediatric liver transplantation generally restores metabolic function; yet after transplantation, some children remain malnourished, have increased adiposity, and develop obesity. Measurement of body composition in the assessment of nutrition status could reduce adverse consequences in children. METHODS: Anthropometric measurements, multiple-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis, air displacement plethysmography, and ultrasound measurements were conducted on children recruited from the liver transplant program at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital. A cross-sectional study was conducted to describe the quality of weight gain in post-liver transplant children between the ages of 2 and 17 years using multiple assessment tools (air displacement plethysmography, multiple-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis, and ultrasound) and to determine whether multiple-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis and ultrasound accurately describe body composition and quality of weight gain. RESULTS: Mean percent body fat by air displacement plethysmography and multiple-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis was 18.4% (±3.3) and 19.0% (±3.9), respectively (P > .99). There were insufficient data to examine the relationship between summed muscle and adipose thickness measures by ultrasound and percent body fat determined by air displacement plethysmography or multiple-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis. CONCLUSION: Percent body fat, fat mass, and fat-free mass measures determined by air displacement plethysmography and multiple-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis were not statistically different, which suggests the stand-on device used in this study could be a useful body composition assessment tool for the pediatric population.

Prevalence and characteristics of starvation-related malnutrition in a mid-Atlantic healthcare system: A cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Malnutrition in the hospital negatively impacts outcomes, including readmissions, mortality, and cost. Starvation-related malnutrition (SRM) is a state of chronic undernutrition with little to no inflammation. Research on SRM within the hospital setting is lacking. Our objective was to determine the prevalence and characteristics of malnutrition within the hospital, focusing on characteristics associated with readmissions in those with SRM. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study analyzing characteristics of adult in patients with acute disease-related malnutrition (ADM) and chronic disease-related malnutrition (CDM) compared with patients with SRM. Prevalence of all malnutrition types was calculated as the total number of malnourished patients divided by the total number of hospital discharges. Analysis of variance with Tukey post hoc analysis was performed to determine differences between characteristics of patients with SRM and other forms of malnutrition. RESULTS: Total prevalence of malnutrition was 2.8%. Of malnourished patients, 17.6%, 79.9%, and 2.5% had ADM, CDM, and SRM, respectively. Patients with SRM had lower body mass index (BMI) (P < .001) and higher rates of readmission (P = 0.046), infectious disease (P < .001), psychiatric disease (P < .001), and substance abuse (P < .001) than patients with ADM or CDM. Readmitted patients with SRM had lower BMI and higher rates of infection and drug abuse than those without readmission. CONCLUSION: The high incidence of comorbid substance abuse and mental illness in patients with SRM provide important targets for treatment that might reduce readmission and improve outcomes.

Body Composition Post Pediatric Liver Transplant: Implications and Assessment.

Liver disease has a negative influence on growth and development of children. Measurement of body composition as a component of nutrition status assessment in children before and after transplant would facilitate tailoring of nutrition therapy. A comprehensive literature search on pediatric liver transplant and body composition assessment was performed using a modified systematic approach. This review includes evidence specific to body composition of children undergoing liver transplant and a discussion of relevant body composition assessment methods for this population. Malnutrition is commonly seen in children with liver disease prior to transplant because of the disrupted metabolic pathways from liver dysfunction; however, malnutrition is not consistently diagnosed. Within 1 year of transplant, children tend to quickly recover with weight gain and linear growth. In some children, obesity and sarcopenia have been observed as long-term posttransplant outcomes. Body composition assessment tools have been utilized in diagnosing nutrition status in adults; yet there are limited studies that use these tools in the pediatric liver-transplant population. Technologies available to assess body composition include air displacement plethysmography, dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, bioimpedance, and ultrasound. Total body potassium has been used for body composition assessment in adults and children post liver transplant; however, this method is not applicable in a clinical setting. We conclude that understanding posttransplant body composition could help clinicians diagnose and treat malnutrition.

Ultrasound measurements of abdominal muscle thickness are associated with postmenstrual age at full oral feedings in preterm infants: A preliminary study.

BACKGROUND: A premature infant's discharge from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is dependent on factors such as respiratory stability, adequate growth, and the ability to consume oral feeds. Once infants have achieved respiratory stability, a tool that can better predict age at discharge is desirable. Thus, we conducted a secondary data analysis to assess the association between ultrasound measurements of abdominal muscle thickness and postmenstrual age (PMA) at full oral feedings. METHODS: Forty-nine (n = 49) healthy, premature infants (mean gestational age = 32 weeks) were recruited from the NICU. Anthropometric measurements and ultrasound measurements of the rectus abdominis were conducted when infants were medically stable. Fat-free mass (FFM) was obtained using air displacement plethysmography. The relationship between ultrasound measurements of muscle thickness and PMA at full oral feedings was assessed using linear regression analysis. The relationship between FFM z-scores and PMA at full oral feedings was also assessed for comparison. RESULTS: When adjusting for gestational age at birth, PMA at measurement, days of positive pressure respiratory support, weight, and length, ultrasound measurements of abdominal muscle thickness were independently, negatively associated with PMA at full oral feedings (ß estimate: -0.71, P = .03). CONCLUSION: Preliminary results suggest infants with greater abdominal muscle thickness may reach full oral feedings at an earlier PMA (nearly 1 week per millimeter). Thus, ultrasound measurements of abdominal muscle thickness may be helpful in assessing readiness for discharge in healthy preterm infants. Further research is needed for development and validation of a prediction equation.

Nutrition Status and Health-Related Quality of Life Among Outpatients With Advanced Head and Neck Cancer.

This pilot study evaluated nutrition status and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) outcomes among outpatients with head and neck cancer (HNC). Data were collected from 19 patients (18 males, 1 female) during 3 time points: once before chemoradiotherapy (CRT) initiation and 1 and 3 months after CRT. Nutrition status was evaluated using the Scored Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA). Malnutrition was defined as PG-SGA stage B (moderate/suspected malnutrition) or stage C (severely malnourished). HRQOL was assessed through the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) and its HNC-specific module (QLQ-H&N35). We found that well-nourished patients reported having fewer issues with pain, fatigue, appetite loss, chewing, sticky saliva, coughing, and social eating than those categorized as malnourished (P < .05). The association between the global quality-of-life score and PG-SGA score was statistically significant but weak in strength (r = -0.37, P = .012). Although PG-SGA identified 70% as either moderately or severely malnourished before treatment initiation, the mean body mass index was in the overweight category (29 ± 5 kg/m2 ). Compared with pretreatment, patients reported more severe problems with chewing, swallowing, sticky saliva, dry mouth, speech, social eating, and taste and smell sensations at 1-month follow-up, although issues with dry mouth persisted 3 months post treatment (P = .003). In conclusion, malnourished patients reported having worse HRQOL symptoms compared with well-nourished patients. Routine nutrition and psychosocial assessment through PG-SGA and EORTC tools might help identify patients in need of nutrition and psychosocial care.

Assessing validity and reliability of resting metabolic rate in six gas analysis systems.

The Deltatrac Metabolic Monitor (DTC) (VIASYS Healthcare Inc, SensorMedics, Yorba Linda, CA), one of the most popular indirect calorimetry systems for measuring resting metabolic rate (RMR) in human subjects, is no longer being manufactured. This study compared five different gas analysis systems to the DTC. RMR was measured by the DTC and at least one other instrument at three study sites for a total of 38 participants. The five indirect calorimetry systems included the MedGraphics CPX Ultima (Medical Graphics Corp, St Paul, MN), the MedGem (Microlife USA, Golden, CO), Vmax Encore 29 System (VIASYS Healthcare Inc, Yorba Linda, CA), the TrueOne 2400 (Parvo Medics, Sandy, UT), and the Korr ReeVue (Korr Medical Technologies, Salt Lake City, UT). Validity was assessed using paired t tests to compare means; reliability was assessed by using both paired t tests and root mean square calculations with F tests for significance. Within-subject comparisons for validity of RMR revealed a significant difference between the DTC and the Ultima system. Bland-Altman plot analysis showed significant bias with increasing RMR values for the Korr and MedGem systems. Respiratory exchange ratio (RER) analysis showed a significant difference between the DTC and the Ultima system and a trend for a difference with the Vmax system (P=0.09). Reliability assessment for RMR revealed that all instruments had a significantly larger coefficient of variation (CV) (ranging from 4.8% to 10.9%) for RMR compared to the 3.0% CV for the DTC. Reliability assessment for RER data showed none of the instrument CVs was significantly larger than the DTC CV. The results were quite disappointing because none of the instruments equaled the within-person reliability of the DTC. The TrueOne and Vmax systems were the most valid instruments in comparison with the DTC for both RMR and RER assessment. Further testing is needed to identify an instrument with the reliability and validity of the DTC.

Update on body composition tools in clinical settings: computed tomography, ultrasound, and bioimpedance applications for assessment and monitoring.

Patients with acute/critical illness are particularly vulnerable to muscle loss and fluid shifts, which adversely impact clinical outcomes. Assessment of these parameters in hospital settings is often subjective and imprecise, which creates discrepancies in identification and difficulty in assessing longitudinal changes. Body composition (BC) technologies provide objective information about muscle and fluid status that can enhance clinical assessment, and BC variables could be biomarkers for prognosis and targets to monitor intervention. There is growing interest in computed tomography (CT), ultrasound (US), and bioimpedance techniques as bedside assessment tools in clinical populations, and specific muscle measures, whole-body BC estimates, and select BC variables show promise as biomarkers of muscle health, nutrition risk, and fluid status. This brief review highlights work within the past 5 years on the use of BC variables generated from CT, US, and bioimpedance in clinical populations with an emphasis on those with acute/critical illness and a brief discussion of implementation challenges in these populations. Consensus on measurement protocols will facilitate identification of BC targets that best reflect prognosis and outcomes and will ultimately allow clinicians to identify individuals who would benefit most from targeted nutrition and physical therapy interventions and reliably monitor their response to treatment.

Impact of Software Selection and ImageJ Tutorial Corrigendum on Skeletal Muscle Measures at the Third Lumbar Vertebra on Computed Tomography Scans in Clinical Populations.

BACKGROUND: There is growing interest in computed tomography (CT) measures of skeletal muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) for nutrition assessment. Multiple software programs are available, but little work has been done comparing programs. We aimed to determine if CT-derived measures of skeletal muscle CSA at the level of the L3 are influenced by the software program used. We also demonstrate the importance of the ImageJ corrigendum published in this journal. METHODS: Two software programs, National Institutes of Health ImageJ and Tomovision sliceOmatic, were compared. ImageJ measures were obtained using both the original tutorial and corrigendum instructions. Skeletal muscle CSA at the level of the L3 was measured in advanced heart failure and head and neck cancer populations by 3 different investigators. Intraclass correlation coefficients were used to calculate intrarater and interrater reliability. Bland-Altman analysis was used to assess agreement. RESULTS: Both software programs yielded excellent intrarater and interrater reliability scores (intraclass correlation coefficients, 0.985-1.000). The overall mean difference (ImageJ tutorial with corrigendum - sliceOmatic) for the entire sample (N = 51) was found to be 1.53 cm2 (95% CI, 0.59-2.47 cm2 ). The overall mean difference (ImageJ corrected - original) for the entire sample (N = 51) was found to be -11.35 cm2 (95% CI, -12.75 to -9.95 cm2 ). CONCLUSION: Measures of skeletal muscle CSA at the L3 were found to be ∼1.53 cm2 higher with ImageJ than sliceOmatic. This difference was not found to affect interpretation against a published cut point. The importance of accounting for the ImageJ tutorial corrigendum was shown to be clinically significant when applied to published cut points.

Protein in the Hospital: Gaining Perspective and Moving Forward.

Provision of adequate protein is crucial for optimizing outcomes in hospitalized patients. However, the methodologies upon which current recommendations are based have limitations, and little is known about true requirements in any clinical population. In this tutorial, we aim to give clinicians an understanding of how current protein recommendations were developed, an appreciation for the limitations of these recommendations, and an overview of more sophisticated approaches that can be applied to better define protein requirements. A broader perspective of the challenges and opportunities in determining clinical protein requirements can help clinicians think critically about the individualized nutrition care they provide to their patients with the goal of administering adequate protein to optimize outcomes.

Diagnosing clinical malnutrition: Perspectives from the past and implications for the future.

This review, intended for both researchers and clinicians, provides a history of the definition of clinical malnutrition. Despite global efforts, we remain without one clear, objective, internationally accepted definition; clarity in this regard will ultimately improve our evaluation and monitoring of nutritional status to achieve optimal patient outcomes. In this review we explore the development of the term malnutrition and its diagnosis and application in the setting of acute and chronic disease. We begin in the second century A.D. with the work of the Greek physician Galen who is credited as the first to apply the term marasmus to characterize three categories of malnutrition, which are surprisingly similar to components of current international definitions. We then highlight significant developments over the next 2000 years culminating in our current application of the clinical diagnosis of malnutrition. A perspective on historical practices may inform current efforts toward a global definition and diagnosis of malnutrition.

Malnutrition Identified by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition Consensus Criteria and Other Bedside Tools Is Highly Prevalent in a Sample of Individuals Undergoing Treatment for Head and Neck Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Using the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (Academy/ASPEN) Consensus malnutrition definition, we estimated malnutrition prevalence in a sample of individuals with head and neck cancer (HNC) and compared it with the Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA). We also investigated the utility of the 50-kHz phase angle (PA) and 200-kHz/5-kHz impedance ratio (IR) to identify malnutrition. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nineteen individuals (18 males, 1 female) scheduled to undergo chemoradiotherapy were seen at 5 time points during and up to 3 months after treatment completion. Multiple-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis, PG-SGA, nutrition-focused physical examination, anthropometry, dietary intake, and handgrip strength data were collected. RESULTS: Using the Consensus, 67% were found to be malnourished before treatment initiation; these criteria diagnosed malnutrition with overall good sensitivity (94%) and moderate specificity (43%) compared with PG-SGA. Over all pooled observations, "malnourished" (by Consensus but not PG-SGA category) had a lower mean PA (5.2 vs 5.9; P = .03) and higher IR (0.82 vs 0.79; P = .03) than "well-nourished" categorizations, although the clinical relevance of these findings is unclear. PA and IR were correlated with higher PG-SGA score (r = -0.35, r = 0.36; P < .01) and handgrip strength (r = 0.48, r = -0.47; P < .01). CONCLUSION: The Academy/ASPEN Consensus and the PG-SGA were in good agreement. It is unclear whether PA and IR can be used as surrogate markers of nutrition status or muscle loss.

Predicting energy expenditure in extremely obese women.

BACKGROUND: The most common clinical method for resting energy expenditure (REE) assessment is prediction equations. The purpose of this study was to elucidate which prediction equation is most accurate for REE assessment in extremely obese women. METHODS: Fourteen extremely obese women (mean +/- SD body mass index: 49.8 +/- 6.2 kg/m(2); age: 49 +/- 10 years) were measured for height and weight and REE via indirect calorimetry (IC) by a metabolic cart system. Predicted REE was evaluated by several equations, including Harris-Benedict with actual body weight, Harris-Benedict with several adjustments to body weight, Cunningham, Mifflin-St Jeor, Owen, World Health Organization (WHO), and Bernstein equations. Accuracy was determined by mean difference data (IC REE - equation REE; Student's paired t-test), correlation coefficients, and agreement between methods by Bland-Altman plots. Accuracy was also evaluated on an individual basis, defined by the percentage of individuals within +/-10% of IC REE. RESULTS: The Mifflin-St Jeor, Harris-Benedict with actual body weight, and the WHO equations were the most accurate in terms of mean predicted REE. The mean predicted REE values by all other equations were different from the IC REE values (p < .1). According to the individual data, the Mifflin-St Jeor was most accurate (14% outside +/-10% IC REE). The Harris-Benedict with actual body weight and WHO equations were less accurate on individual terms, with 29% and 42% of the predicted REE values, respectively, falling outside +/-10% of IC REE. CONCLUSIONS: The Mifflin-St Jeor equation was most accurate method for REE assessment in extremely obese women.

Dudrick Research Symposium 2015-Lean Tissue and Protein in Health and Disease.

The 2015 Dudrick Research Symposium "Lean Tissue and Protein in Health and Disease: Key Targets and Assessment Strategies" was held on February 16, 2015, at Clinical Nutrition Week in Long Beach, California. The Dudrick Symposium honors the many pivotal and innovative contributions to the development and advancement of parenteral nutrition made by Dr Stanley J. Dudrick, physician scientist, academic leader, and a founding member of the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition. As the 2014 recipient of the Dudrick award, Dr Carrie Earthman chaired the symposium and was the first of 3 speakers, followed by Dr Robert Wolfe and Dr Steven Heymsfield. The symposium addressed the importance of lean tissue to health and response to disease and injury, as well as the many opportunities and challenges in its assessment at the bedside. Lean tissue assessment is beneficial to clinical care in chronic and acute care clinical settings, given the strong relationship between lean tissue and outcomes, including functional status. Currently available bioimpedance techniques, including the use of bioimpedance parameters, for lean tissue and nutrition status assessment were presented. The connection between protein requirements and lean tissue was discussed, highlighting the maintenance of lean tissue as one of the most important primary end points by which protein requirements can be estimated. The various tracer techniques to establish protein requirements were presented, emphasizing the importance of practical considerations in research protocols aimed to establish protein requirements. Ultrasound and other new and emerging technologies that may be used for lean tissue assessment were discussed, and areas for future research were highlighted.