Association between self-perceived body image and body composition between the sexes and different age classes

Specific bioelectrical vectors pattern in individuals with sarcopenic obesity

BACKGROUND

Sarcopenic obesity is a common condition in the elderly associated with excessive adiposity and low muscle mass and strength.

AIMS

This study aims to establish a method for detecting bioelectrical characteristics in individuals with sarcopenic obesity through specific Bioelectrical Impedance Vector Analysis (specific BIVA), while considering the characteristics of individuals with healthy, sarcopenic, and obese conditions.

METHODS

The sample was composed by 915 Italian adults over 50 years of age (men: 74.6 ± 8.8 y; women:76.3 ± 8.8 y) living in Sardinia (Italy). A dataset of 1590 US adults aged 21 - 49 years retrieved from the 2003 - 2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey was also considered in a final step of the study. Anthropometric (stature, weight, waist, arm, and calf circumferences) and whole-body bioelectrical variables were taken. In the Italian sample, bioelectrical impedance was applied to estimate the relative content of fat mass and skeletal muscle mass. Groups with healthy body composition (NS-NO), or consistent with sarcopenia (S), sarcopenic obesity (S-O), and obesity (O) were defined based on the cut-offs suggested by European expert guidelines (EWGSOP2 and ESPEN-EASO). Specific BIVA was applied to compare groups and to identify the area for sarcopenic obesity within young-adults tolerance ellipses. The position of the specific vector of US individuals with S-O, selected on the basis of DXA measurements, was also considered.

RESULTS

In both sexes of the Italian sample, the bioelectrical characteristics of the four groups were different (p < 0.001). The differences were mainly related to vector length, indicative of higher fat mass, which was longer in the O and S-O groups, and phase angle, a proxy of intracellular/extracellular water and muscle mass, lower in the sarcopenic groups. Bioelectrical vectors of the S-O group fell in the right quadrant, outside of the 95 % tolerance ellipses of young adults. The mean vector of the US sample with S-O fell in the same area. Within the S-O area, women had similar bioelectrical values, while men showed phase angle variability, which was related to the severity of the condition.

CONCLUSIONS

Specific BIVA detects body composition peculiarities of individuals with sarcopenic obesity, thus allowing their diagnosis when associated with low handgrip strength values.

Body fluids and muscle changes in trail runners of various distances

Background

This study aims to investigate body fluids and muscle changes evoked by different trail races using anthropometric, bioelectrical, and creatine kinase (CK) measurements.

Methods

A total of 92 subjects (55 men, 37 women) participating in three different races of 14, 35, and 52 km were evaluated before (PRE) and after (POST) the races. Classic bioelectrical impedance vector analysis was applied at the whole-body level (WB-BIVA). Additionally, muscle-localized bioelectrical assessments (ML-BIVA) were performed in a subgroup of 11 men (in the quadriceps, hamstrings, and calves). PRE-POST differences and correlations between bioelectrical values and CK, running time and race distance were tested.

Results

Changes in whole-body vectors and phase angles disclosed an inclination towards dehydration among men in the 14, 35, and 52 km groups (p < 0.001), as well as among women in the 35 and 52 km groups (p < 0.001). PRE Z/H was negatively correlated with running time in the 35 km men group and 14 km women group (r = -0.377, p = 0.048; r = -0.751, p = 0.001; respectively). POST Z/H was negatively correlated with running time in the 14 km women group (r = -0.593, p = 0.02). CK was positively correlated with distance in men and women (p < 0.001) and negatively correlated with reactance and vector length in the 14 km men group (p < 0.05). ML-BIVA echoed the same tendency as the WB-BIVA in the 35 and 52 km runners, with the most notable changes occurring in the calves (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

WB-BIVA and CK measurements underscored a conspicuous trend towards post-race dehydration and muscle damage, displaying a weak association with performance. Notably, ML-BIVA detected substantial alterations primarily in the calves. The study underscores the utility of BIVA as a technique to assess athlete's body composition changes.

Physical Activity, Body Image, and Emotional Intelligence Differences in Adults with Overweight and Obesity

Physical activity (PA) and emotional intelligence (EI) are integral parts of human nature. Body image (BI) and body mass index (BMI) may be indications of the psycho-emotional and physical health of human beings. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between PA and EI of Greek adults living with overweight and obesity, as well as to identify the BI and EI differences in this population. A cross-sectional study design was used, involving 216 participants (65% females) of whom 51.4% were young adults (20-40 years), 48.6% were middle-aged adults (41-60 years), while 51.4% of participants were living with overweight or obesity. According to the results, all indicators of PA had very low correlations with EI factors, while statistically significant correlations were observed only for PA at work and the total score of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire with the use of emotions (r = 0.16 and r = 0.17, respectively, p < 0.05). Women had significantly higher EI scores than men regarding the care and empathy factor, while the individuals with obesity had lower scores in the use of emotions factor. Regarding BI, young adults who were satisfied with their BI had better control of feelings than the middle-aged adult counterparts. In conclusion, BI satisfaction and EI may differ between individuals living with overweight and obesity in both genders. Younger individuals with obesity may compensate better for their BI and better control their emotions. On the other side, PA does not seem to have an important role in these associations.

Body Composition and Strength Symmetry of Kettlebell Sport Athletes

Kettlebell sport (KBs) is increasingly popular, but very few studies have been focused on this discipline. This research aims to investigate the effects of KBs on body composition, strength symmetry, and segmental body composition symmetry in a sample of Italian elite athletes. Data were collected from a sample of 16 athletes of both sexes (11 men and 5 women; 34.5 ± 9.0 years of age). Anthropometric (height, weight, arm, thigh, calf, and waist circumferences), hand grip strength, and total and segmental bioelectrical variables were taken. Body composition was analysed by using specific bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA). Paired t-tests and confidence ellipses were applied to analyse bilateral differences. Elite athletes of both sexes showed high values of phase angle, indicative of high body cell mass and quality and proxy of muscle mass. Hand grip strength and body composition were symmetrical, with the only exception of a higher %FM in the right leg (Zsp: t = 3.556; p = 0.003). In conclusion, this study suggests that KBs contributes to muscle mass improvement, body composition, and strength symmetry, especially in the upper body.

Ideal body image for the opposite sex and its association with body mass index

This research studied the preferences reported by women and men about their Ideal Body Image for the Opposite Sex (IBIOS), and its association with body mass index (BMI). It also analysed the preferences of each sex for a woman's ideal body image (W-IBI) and a man's ideal body image (M-IBI). A total of 450 participants aged 18-70 years with different weights were studied. Their IBIOS was assessed using standard figural stimuli. The sample was divided in four groups by sex and age (<45 years; ≥45 years). Sex and age differences in IBIOS, as well as sex differences in the preferences for a woman's ideal body image (W-IBI) and a man's ideal body image (M-IBI), were tested using a non-parametric Mann-Whitney U test. The association between IBIOS and BMI was analysed using Spearman's correlation. In all groups, the most chosen silhouette as IBIOS was number 4. In the under-45 years group, women chose bigger silhouettes for the opposite sex than men did (p<0.05). In this age group women chose as ideal smaller silhouettes for the female body than men did (p<0.01). In addition, women and men in the younger age group and with normal weight chose smaller silhouettes, while those who were overweight or obese selected larger silhouettes (p<0.001). Age was found to be a relevant factor in IBIOS preferences, and in the association between IBIOS and nutritional status as measured by BMI, which was only observed to be significant in the younger age group.

Relationship between Attention to Body Shape, Social Physique Anxiety, and Personal Characteristics of Brazilians: A Structural Equation Model

People can develop eating disorders due to excessive body image concerns. The primary objective of this study was to examine the relationship between attention to body shape, social physique anxiety, and personal characteristics in a sample of Brazilians. The secondary objective was to evaluate the correlation of the constructs with the participants' body composition. First, 1795 individuals (70% female; M_age = 25.5 ± 6.6 years) completed the Attention to Body Shape Scale, the Social Physique Anxiety Scale, and a sociodemographic questionnaire. Then, 286 participants (58% female; M_age = 25.3 ± 5.7 years) underwent a bioimpedance exam to identify body composition. Structural equation modeling was used to estimate the relationship between the variables. The greater the attention to body shape, the greater the expectations of negative physical evaluation and the less comfort with physical presentation. Younger age, female gender, consumption of supplements/substances for body change, restrictive diets, physical inactivity, poor self-assessment of food quality, and overweight/obesity were related to negative body concerns. An expectation of negative physical evaluation was positively correlated with body fat and negatively with muscle mass. Comfort with physical presentation was negatively correlated with fat and positively with muscle. These results can support preventive strategies aimed at reducing eating disorders resulting from body image concerns.

Association between classic and specific bioimpedance vector analysis and sarcopenia in older adults: a cross-sectional study

Background

To verify (1) the association between classic and specific bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA) with body composition, hydration, and physical performance in older adults with and without sarcopenia; (2) which BIVA most accurately distinguishes sarcopenia.

Methods

A sample of 94 older adults with and without sarcopenia (29 men and 65 women, 60–85 years) was evaluated. The classic and specific BIVA procedures, Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and deuterium dilution were performed. Sarcopenia was defined by muscle weakness and low skeletal muscle index, while severity was indicated by low physical performance.

Results

The BIVA's potential to monitor hydration and muscle mass loss in older adults seems feasible. Classic and specific BIVA were able to distinguish sarcopenia in women (p < 0.001), but not in men. When the sarcopenia criteria were individually analyzed, both classic and specific BIVA were able to distinguish low skeletal muscle index in women, while only classic BIVA did for men. For the criterion of slow physical performance, only the classic BIVA showed severity differences for women. The vectors of adults without sarcopenia of both sexes tended to be positioned in the left region of the ellipses, revealing a predominance of soft tissues.

Conclusions

Classic BIVA has a distinct sarcopenic association with body composition, hydration, and physical performance in older adults, while specific BIVA was similar between groups. Both BIVAs are sensible to detect female morphological changes (skeletal muscle index) but not for functional (handgrip, 6-min walk test) sarcopenia criteria. These procedures are promising tools for monitoring sarcopenia risks during aging.

Body image perception and body composition in early adolescents: a longitudinal study of an Italian cohort

BACKGROUND

Adolescence is a sensitive period of life in which everyone faces physical and psychological changes. No longitudinal studies considering changes in body image perception and body composition in Italian adolescents have been carried out. The aims of this study were to evaluate the longitudinal change in body composition and weight status in a sample of Italian students of both sexes over the 3 years of middle school and to analyse the influence of these parameters on the perception and satisfaction of one's own body image.

METHODS

Sixty-four males and seventy females were followed longitudinally from 11 to 14. Age at first measurement was 11.8 ± 0.3 yrs. in males and 11.9 ± 0.3 yrs. in females, then the students were measured again after 1 year and 2 years. Anthropometric measurements were collected and body composition was assessed by skinfolds. Maturity status was detected by age at menarche in females and by estimated age at peak height velocity in males; sports practice was assessed by a questionnaire. Body Silhouette Charts were used to assess body image perception. The degree of body image dissatisfaction and improper perception of weight status were evaluated. Univariate and multivariate analyses were applied.

RESULTS

Height, sitting height, leg length, and weight increments were higher in males than in females, and in both sexes the sitting height increment was higher than that of leg length. Skinfold thicknesses and percentage of body fat, showed a decrease in males and an increase in females over the 3 years. About 90% of the sample practiced sport during the 3 years. No significant variations in body image perception were observed among repeated measures but significantly differences were observed between sexes. Although the girls showed a lower incidence of overweight and obesity than boys, girls had a higher dissatisfaction than males. Males were less accurate in one's perception of one's own weight status.

CONCLUSIONS

The changes in body composition observed in the sample of the present study were in accordance with their maturity stage. An increase in parameters connected with adiposity is observed in females and a decrease in males. Body image perception did not seem to change with growth, but associations were found between body image perception and BMI and sex. Monitoring body image perception in young adolescents, especially in females and in overweight/obese subjects, is a priority to prevent nutritional disorders.