Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 8, 2026

Clinical Anthropometrics and Body Composition from 3-Dimensional Optical Imaging
06:48

Clinical Anthropometrics and Body Composition from 3-Dimensional Optical Imaging

Published on: June 7, 2024

Body composition from birth to 6 mo of age in Ethiopian infants: reference data obtained by air-displacement

Gregers S Andersen1, Tsinuel Girma, Jonathan C K Wells

  • 1Steno Diabetes Center, Gentofte, Denmark.

The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
|August 30, 2013
PubMed

Insights

This study provides crucial reference data for infant body composition, including fat mass (FM) and fat-free mass (FFM), in an urban African population. These findings are essential for understanding infant growth and future health outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Nutrition
  • Human Growth and Development
  • Body Composition Analysis

Background:

  • Infant body composition data is vital for understanding long-term disease risk.
  • Limited body composition data exists for infants in low-income settings.
  • New assessment techniques are available but underutilized in infant studies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To establish reference data for fat mass (FM) and fat-free mass (FFM) in infants.
  • To cover the period from birth to 6 months of age.
  • To focus on an urban African population.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective cohort study in Jimma, Ethiopia.
  • Air-displacement plethysmography (ADP) used for FM and FFM measurements.
  • Lambda-mu-sigma method applied for constructing reference charts and tables.

Main Results:

  • 2026 body composition measurements from 378 infants were analyzed.
  • Fat mass and fat mass index (FMI) showed logarithmic growth patterns.
  • Fat-free mass (FFM) exhibited near-linear growth with a slight deceleration around 3 months.

Conclusions:

  • Presents the first z scores and centile reference charts for FM and FFM in an urban Ethiopian infant population.
  • Provides essential reference data for African infants, aiding clinical care and research.
  • Highlights the importance of context-specific body composition data.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study09:36

Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study

Published on: February 2, 2017

Scanning Skeletal Remains for Bone Mineral Density in Forensic Contexts07:56

Scanning Skeletal Remains for Bone Mineral Density in Forensic Contexts

Published on: January 29, 2018

Related Concept Videos

Physical Assessment of the Respiratory Tract II: Inspection01:27

Physical Assessment of the Respiratory Tract II: Inspection

Physical assessment of the respiratory tract through inspection is a crucial step in understanding the patient's respiratory health. It provides insights into the functioning of the respiratory system, the musculoskeletal structure, and even the patient's nutritional status. This comprehensive approach involves observing several vital aspects: chest configuration, breathing patterns, respiratory rates, skin color, and use of accessory muscles.
Chest Configuration
The chest configuration can...
Assessment of Ventilation II: Respiratory Depth and Rhythm01:29

Assessment of Ventilation II: Respiratory Depth and Rhythm

Respiratory Depth
Respiratory depth measures the volume of air inhaled or exhaled during a breath. It can vary from shallow to deep and typically remains consistent when a person is at rest or asleep. Occasionally, individuals will automatically inhale deeply, known as sighing, which inflates the lungs with more air than normal breathing.
To assess respiratory depth, observe the degree of chest excursion or movement:
Assessment of Airway, Skin Color, and Use of Accessory Muscles01:30

Assessment of Airway, Skin Color, and Use of Accessory Muscles

A thorough assessment of respiratory health is paramount in clinical settings to identify and manage respiratory distress and ensure adequate oxygenation. This article elaborates on the critical aspects of respiratory evaluation, including airway assessment, skin color examination, and the observation of accessory muscle use, which are integral to effectively diagnosing and managing patients with respiratory conditions.
Introduction
The initial evaluation of a patient's respiratory system...
Respiratory Volumes01:15

Respiratory Volumes

Respiratory volumes are crucial metrics, meticulously measured to quantify the air exchanged in and out of the lungs during various phases of the breathing cycle. These precise measurements are vital for assessing lung function, diagnosing respiratory conditions, and monitoring overall respiratory health. Each parameter provides specific insights into the mechanics of breathing and the functional capacity of the lungs.
Tidal Volume (TV) Tidal volume (TV) is the air inhaled or exhaled in a...