Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 25, 2026
13:35
Segmentation and Linear Measurement for Body Composition Analysis using Slice-O-Matic and Horos
Published on: March 21, 2021
Obesity, body composition, and prostate cancer
Jay H Fowke1, Saundra S Motley, Raoul S Concepcion
1Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA. jay.fowke@vanderbilt.edu
BMC Cancer
|January 20, 2012
Summary
Body composition, specifically fat-free mass (FFM), is linked to high-grade prostate cancer risk. This finding suggests FFM may be a better indicator than BMI or waist circumference for assessing prostate cancer risk in men.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Metabolic Health
- Body Composition Analysis
Background:
- Established prostate cancer risk factors lack effective prevention strategies.
- Greater body adiposity is a potential modifiable risk factor for high-grade prostate cancer and mortality.
- Body Mass Index (BMI) is an imprecise measure of adiposity, potentially confounded by fat distribution and lean mass.
Purpose of the Study:
- To utilize bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA) for precise body composition measurement.
- To determine the association between prostate cancer and total body fat mass (FM), fat-free mass (FFM), and percent body fat (%BF).
- To identify which body composition measure mediates the association between BMI or waist circumference (WC) and prostate cancer.
Main Methods:
- Multi-centered recruitment of men scheduled for prostate biopsy.
- Classification of prostate cancer cases into Gleason 6, Gleason 7, and Gleason 8-10.
- Ascertainment of BIA and body size measures pre-diagnosis; chart review for clinical data.
Main Results:
- No significant association between body composition and low-grade (Gleason 6) prostate cancer.
- BMI, WC, FM, and FFM associated with increased risk of Gleason 7 and Gleason 8-10 prostate cancer.
- Associations of BMI and WC with Gleason 8-10 prostate cancer were non-significant after controlling for FFM; increasing FFM remained significantly associated with high-grade disease.
Conclusions:
- Associations between BMI/WC and high-grade prostate cancer are mediated by FFM.
- FFM may serve as a marker for testosterone or IGF1 activity related to lean mass maintenance in aging men.
- FFM, rather than general adiposity, appears more closely linked to high-grade prostate cancer development.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:24Obesity
The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a numerical value derived from a person's weight and height, used to categorize individuals into weight ranges. It is calculated using the formula: weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. Obesity is a health condition characterized by excessive accumulation of adipose tissue that poses health risks, often diagnosed with a BMI ≥ 30. This excess fat storage occurs when surplus dietary calories are converted into triglycerides and stored in adipocytes...
01:25Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Absorption and Distribution
Obesity significantly alters the pharmacokinetic processes of drug absorption and distribution, presenting unique challenges in medical treatment. The increased fat tissue and decreased lean muscle in obese individuals can significantly affect how drugs are absorbed into the body and distributed across different tissues. This alteration can lead to variances in the effectiveness and safety of medications, necessitating adjustments in dosing or drug selection for obese patients.One notable...
01:21Drug Dosing: Obese Patients
In the United States, obesity is a prominent concern. It is linked to heightened mortality rates due to increased occurrences of conditions such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, and diabetes compared to nonobese individuals. A patient is classified as obese if their actual body weight surpasses the ideal or desirable body weight by 20%, based on Metropolitan Life Insurance Company data. Ideal body weights consider average weights and heights for males and females...
01:20Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Metabolism and Excretion
Drug metabolism, a critical process in the liver, involves two primary phases: Phase I reactions and Phase II conjugation. Obesity introduces significant alterations in this metabolic process, primarily due to fatty infiltration of the liver, leading to conditions such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This condition can modify the activities of both Phase I and II enzymes, impacting how drugs are metabolized in obese patients.Phase I metabolism sees variable effects across...
02:59Cancer Prevention
Several factors can increase the risk of cancer in an individual. About 50% of cancer cases can be prevented by adopting a healthy lifestyle, regular exercise, eating healthy, and following a modest cancer prevention diet. Epidemiological studies have consistently shown that populations with vegetable and fruit-rich diets have reduced the incidence of cancer. On the other hand, populations who have a diet rich in animal fat, red meat, junk food, or high calories are predisposed to cancer.
Some...
Some...
01:20Disorders of the Male Reproductive System
Men's health issues are increasingly recognized as significant, with several conditions posing common threats. Among these, testicular cancer is especially prevalent in younger men, particularly those aged 20 to 35 years. The disease often manifests as a painless mass in the testicles, sometimes accompanied by a sensation of heaviness or a dull ache.
Prostate disorders are another major concern. These conditions can impair urinary flow due to the prostate's location around the urethra. Symptoms...
Prostate disorders are another major concern. These conditions can impair urinary flow due to the prostate's location around the urethra. Symptoms...