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The effect of malnutrition on body composition
Surgery, Gynecology & Obstetrics
|January 1, 1981
Summary
Malnutrition and surgery significantly alter body composition, causing a loss of body cell mass and an increase in extracellular mass. This expansion can mask cellular mass loss, making weight an unreliable indicator of nutritional status.
Area of Science:
- Human Physiology
- Nutritional Science
- Body Composition Analysis
Background:
- Malnutrition significantly impacts physiological functions.
- Understanding body composition changes is crucial for patient management.
- Previous studies have not fully elucidated the dynamic changes in body cell mass and extracellular mass.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effects of malnutrition and surgical stress on body composition.
- To quantify changes in body cell mass and extracellular mass.
- To determine if weight loss accurately reflects cellular mass depletion.
Main Methods:
- Utilized multiple isotope dilution techniques to assess body composition.
- Studied three groups: healthy volunteers, patients with clinical malnutrition, and post-operative patients.
- Measured body cell mass and extracellular mass in all participants.
Main Results:
- Malnutrition led to a 40% reduction in body cell mass and a 24% increase in extracellular mass.
- Elective surgery caused a 13.9% decrease in body cell mass and a 9.6% increase in extracellular mass by day five.
- The expansion of extracellular mass masked the extent of body cell mass loss.
Conclusions:
- Malnutrition and surgical stress induce significant shifts in body composition.
- Increased extracellular mass can obscure the true extent of cellular depletion.
- Body weight is an inaccurate measure for assessing cellular mass loss in these conditions.
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