Analysis of body composition and selected lipid parameters in healthy children – a preliminary report

Abstract

Aim: The aim of the study was to perform an analytical evaluation of body composition and selected lipid parameters in a population of healthy children. Material and methods: The study included a group of 81 children (44 boys and 37 girls, mean age 11.56 ± 2.84 years) participating in a research project in the Centre for Medical and Natural Sciences Research and Innovation in Rzeszow. Body composition measurement (TANITA BC-420 S MA) and lipid profile assessment (Cholestech LDX) were performed in all patients. Statistical analysis of the collected material was conducted with Statistica 10.0 (StatSoft). Parametric and nonparametric tests were used for statistical analysis of variables. The level of statistical significance was adopted at p < 0.05. Results: A statistically significant difference in fat mass (p < 0.001), fat-free mass (p = 0.003), muscle mass (p = 0.003) and total body water (p < 0.001) was observed between children with normal body weight and overweight or obese children. A significant positive impact of FM (R = 0.09; p = 0.416) and a negative impact of total body water (R = −0.40; p < 0.001) on triglyceride parameters was demonstrated. Additionally, reduced fat mass correlated with a significant increase in high-density lipoprotein (R = −0.29; p = 0.009). Conclusions: The study demonstrated differences in the selected components of body composition in a population of healthy children, which allowed to precisely monitor the nutritional status when correlated with the results of lipid profile.

Keywords

• body composition
• lipids
• child
• nutritional status