Relationship of body shape index with body composition analysis indicators in adult obese patients

Abstract

Introduction: Body Shape Index (ABSI) is based on the birth circumference (CC) being independent of
height, weight, and body mass index (BMI); where a high ABSI result indicates that the waist circumference
is greater than expected for a certain weight and height, corresponding to higher concentration of body volume
at the abdominal level. Bioimpedance (BIA) is a good method for determining body water and fat-free
mass; this is based on the close relationship between the electrical properties of the human body, the body
composition of the different tissues and the total content of water in the body.

Objective: Establish a statistical relationship between ABSI and body composition indicators in adults with
obesity.

Material and methods: 173 patients who attended private consultation between 20 – 60 years were evaluated,
with defined diagnosis of obesity according to BMI 30 kg/m2. Anthropometric measurements were taken
weight, size, CC and a BIA was performed for body composition analysis.

Results: The average age of patients was 36.7 x 9.7 years. ABSI was calculated resulting in an overall average
of 0.075 x 0.004, in men 0.079 x 0.05 and women 0.075 x 0.04. Bivariate analysis was performed between
ABSI and global body composition variables without finding statistically significant relationship. ABSI vs
weight (kg) correlation 0.201 value of P: 0, 008; ABSI vs ACT (L) correlation 0.229 value of P 0.002; ABSI
vs MG (kg) correlation -0.083 P value 0.276; ABSI vs MME (kg) correlation 0.219 value of P 0.004.

Conclusion: It is established that ABSI is not directly related to total body composition analysis variables. No
positive relationship was found with the total fat mass variable or a negative relationship to the variable skeletal
muscle mass.