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Methods for classifying obesity in spinal cord injury: a review
S L Silveira1,2, T A Ledoux1, S Robinson-Whelen2,3
1Department of Health and Human Performance, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA.
Spinal Cord
|July 12, 2017
Summary
Obesity measurement in spinal cord injury (SCI) lacks standardization. Current methods, including Body Mass Index (BMI), have limitations, necessitating research into SCI-specific classifications for accurate weight status assessment.
Area of Science:
- Medical research
- Clinical practice
- Rehabilitation science
Background:
- Obesity is a significant health concern in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI).
- Accurate measurement and classification of obesity are crucial for managing health outcomes in the SCI population.
- Existing obesity metrics may not adequately reflect body composition changes post-SCI.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and classify methods used for measuring obesity in individuals with SCI.
- To evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of various obesity assessment techniques in the SCI context.
- To identify gaps in current obesity classification for SCI and recommend future research directions.
Main Methods:
- A narrative review of literature was conducted using PubMed, searching for articles published before 2016.
- Search terms included 'obesity' or 'weight status' combined with 'spinal cord injury'.
- Studies included adult participants (≥18 years) with SCI across various settings, focusing on those measuring obesity status.
Main Results:
- Multiple methods are used to classify obesity in SCI, including World Health Organization (WHO) Body Mass Index (BMI) cutoffs (≥30 kg/m² for obesity, ≥25-29 kg/m² for overweight) and SCI-specific BMI cutoffs (≥22 kg/m²).
- Other methods include waist circumference, percent body fat (using bioelectrical impedance analysis and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry), computerized tomography (CT) visceral fat area, and percentage of ideal body weight.
- Body Mass Index (BMI) is the most frequently utilized measure in SCI research.
Conclusions:
- There is no universally standardized method for classifying obesity in individuals with SCI.
- While alternative cutoffs and metrics exist, further research is required to develop and validate SCI-specific obesity classifications.
- Researchers and clinicians should exercise caution and select measurement methodologies aligned with their specific objectives when assessing obesity in SCI.
