Biomedical subjects

M G Carbonelli

Publications and source records attributed to M G Carbonelli.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2003

Body composition and respiratory function.

Although the effects of sex, ageing, height, race, and current and past health on pulmonary function tests have been described, only non-significant associations have been observed between body weight and lung function among healthy persons after having accounted for the effects of age and height. However, few studies have considered the influence of body compartments (e. g. lean and fat masses and their distribution) on lung function and respiratory gas exchange. The present work consists of a review of the literature on the effects of body weight components and body composition measurements on lung function. One of the important findings of this review was that the central (or upper body) pattern of fat distribution is negatively associated with airway function and that increases in body muscular mass result in linear increases for all spirometric variables in healthy persons. Nonetheless, the role that body composition plays in lung function still needs to be clarified.

Body Composition↗

PubMed2003

Predicting fat-free mass in children using bioimpedance analysis.

Body composition assessment is a useful procedure for the study of nutritional status and water distribution. In adults, it is a predictor of morbidity and mortality, since body fatness is associated with risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA) is a simple, safe, and inexpensive method for assessment of body composition both in pediatric and adult subjects. The aim of our study was to validate the impedance index, ZI (H(2)/Z, height in cm(2)/impedance), as a predictor factor of fatfree mass (FFM) and fat mass (FM) in a sample ( n=75) of normal children. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was chosen as reference method. Despite some minor bias, DXAis considerably less expensive and easier to administer in pediatric subjects than other established gold standard reference methods for assessing body composition. ZI values were highly correlated with FFM measured with DXA. The following equations were obtained from the regression analysis: (a). male subjects, FFM(DXA)=0.6375 (ZI)+5.9913, r(2)=0.897, p<0.0001; (b). female subjects, FFM(DXA)=0.7597 (ZI)+ 3.5853, r(2)=0.903, p<0.0001. These data support the notion that BIA alone can be used as a surrogate to measure FFM in a pediatric sample.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

PubMed2003

Body composition modification in obese patients treated with intragastric balloon.

At the Centre for the Therapy of Morbid Obesity, a multidisciplinary team attends severely obese patients in a day-care hospital setting. The patients' psychological and nutritional profiles are studied and their body composition investigated with bioelectrical impedance. After the diagnosis, several approaches are proposed; among them, the insertion of a Bioenterics Intragastric Balloon (BIB). For 6 months after insertion, patients were periodically examined and followed a strict personal regimen, behaviour schedule and physical activity programme compatible with the BIB. The results obtained from the first 20 subjects are encouraging. No severe complications have been reported, and after the BIB removal, subjects are maintaining the obtained results with some of them continuing to lose weight.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1999

Effects of weight loss on body composition and pulmonary function.

BACKGROUND: The relationship between obesity, impaired respiratory function and weight loss is established. OBJECTIVE: Some aspects need further elucidation: the different impact of the pathological modifications of body compartments (total and regional fat mass and lean body mass) on respiratory function, the choice of a restricted diet, the relationship between the modifications of body compartments and the variations in respiratory parameters after weight loss. METHODS: The restricted diet was elaborated according to the traditional Mediterranean diet. In a series of 16 obese patients, respiratory function was assessed by spirometry; body composition was assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, allowing the direct estimation of total and segmental body fat and lean body mass. RESULTS: Weight loss was sustained mainly by fat mass decrease, mostly upper body fat. Total and truncal lean body mass were not affected. Lung volumes and function were improved. A correlation was observed between lean body mass and respiratory parameters, and was unmodified after weight loss. CONCLUSIONS: Mediterranean-style restricted diet was well accepted and enabled a selective decrease in fat mass, with a good improvement in lung function. Truncal fat (as well as abdominal fat) was decreased, while truncal lean body mass (i.e. respiratory muscles) were not affected, as expected in obese subjects with respiration problems.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗