Abstract

MARTINEZ, Emilio G.. Body composition: its importance in clinical practice and some relatively simple techniques for evaluation. Salud, Barranquilla [online]. 2010, vol.26, n.1, pp.98-116. ISSN 0120-5552.

The control and prevention of malnutrition is an unfinished task in many countries, including Colombia. At the same time, chronic diseases related to nutrition are now the leading cause of disability and death, not only globally but also in many developing countries. In Colombia as in most countries, traditionally have been used as anthropometric criteria like indices of weight, height and body mass index (I) to define obesity, malnutrition and eating disorders, but these variables have little sensitivity to monitor treatment response and that is why the assessment of body composition may qualify this process. The aim of this paper is to review some relatively simple techniques for assessing body composition and its advantages and disadvantages in clinical practice for monitoring patients. While obesity adversely impacts in the short-term health, there is growing evidence that cardiovascular disease has its origins in childhood and adolescence, so that regardless of body composition in adult life, elevated levels adiposity in childhood may by themselves increase the risk of disease later. It is a priority for universities, health institutions and policy makers in health, to stimulate national research in this field in order to achieve the development of national benchmarks.

Keywords : Body composition; nutrition transition; weight; height; skinfolds; waist circumference; Body Mass Index; bioelectrical impedance.

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