Exploration of anthropometrics and child obesity
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploration of the relationship between anthropometrics and child obesity.
IRAS ID
331374
Contact name
Zoe Burton
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Sheffield Hallam University
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 8 months, 21 days
Research summary
It is recognised that whilst the causes of childhood obesity are multifaceted, accurate early diagnosis and monitoring is essential for its prevention and treatment. For an individual it ensures correct diagnosis and appropriate treatment. For a population it ensures accurate interpretation of the epidemiology of a condition and allows the planning of effective policy and appropriate services. Direct measurement of the volume and distribution of adipose tissue is most accurately achieved through imaging techniques, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). These tools, therefore, are highly effective at identifying obesity. However, as these techniques are resource intensive, they are unsuitable for regular use and have no standardised health risk thresholds; external body measures are – and are likely to remain – the most common method to diagnosis and monitor obesity.
BMI is the most widely used anthropometric to diagnose and monitor obesity, at both an individual and population level. Although simple to calculate and accompanied by standardised risk thresholds, BMI is fundamentally flawed and heavily criticised for its lack of accuracy with, and sensitivity to, changes in adipose tissue and health risk of individual body segments and the whole body. It is recommended that "further research on obesity measures other than BMI is needed to determine which is the best tool for diagnosing [and monitoring of] childhood obesity…". The aim of this project is to explore which external surface body measures (anthropometrics) most accurately predict adipose tissue associated with health risk children living with obesity. Doing so will provide with an improved understanding of the most suitable external surface body measures (anthropometrics) to be used in prevention and treatment of childhood obesity.
REC name
London - Surrey Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/LO/0883
Date of REC Opinion
5 Feb 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion