title: Body surface temperature distribution in relation to body composition in obese women.
abstract: Adipose tissue levels and human obesity are known to be associated with increased heat production. At the same time, subcutaneous adipose tissue provides an insulating layer that impedes heat loss. The energy implications of obesity and body thermoregulatory mechanisms remain relatively poorly understood. This study attempted to examine the potential relationship between body composition (subcutaneous and visceral fat) determined by bioimpedance as well as BMI (body mass index), and skin surface temperature distribution recorded at rest. One specific aim of this study was to draw a thermal map of body areas in obese women and compare this with women of normal body mass, and thus to identify body regions within which heat transfer is particularly impeded. As high fat content is a good insulator, it could reduce the body's ability to respond effectively to changes in environmental temperature, which would be problematic for thermal homeostasis. Our results showed that core temperature did not differ between obese and normal body mass participants, while skin temperature of most body surfaces was lower in obese subjects. The results of regression analysis showed that the mean body surface temperature (Tmean) decreased with increasing percentage of body fat (PBF) of the abdominal area. The opposite relationship was observed for the front area of the hand (simultaneous increase in Tmean and PBF). We also found a negative correlation between BMI and Tmean of the thigh areas, both the front and the back. From this it could be concluded that the mean body surface temperature is dependent on body fat.
authors: Department of Human Functional Anatomy and Biometry Institute of Physical Culture and Health Promotion of Szczecin University, al. Piastów 40b, 71-065 Szczecin, Poland. Electronic address: monikachudecka@wp.pl.
authors: Monika
authors: M
authors: Chudecka
authors: Department of Functional Diagnostics and Physical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, ul. Grudziadzka 31, 70-103 Szczecin, Poland; Department of Physiology, Faculty of Biology of Szczecin University, ul. Felczaka 3c, 70-453 Szczecin, Poland.
authors: Anna
authors: A
authors: Lubkowska
authors: Independence Laboratory of Medical Biology, Department of Laboratory Diagnostics and Molecular Medicine Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin al. Powstańców Wielkopolskich 72, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland. Electronic address: agnieszkakempinska@poczta.onet.pl.
authors: Agnieszka
authors: A
authors: Kempińska-Podhorodecka
mesh_terms: D050153:Abdominal Fat; D000328:Adult; D001823:Body Composition; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001833:Body Temperature Regulation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009765:Obesity / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012881:Skin Temperature; D050151:Subcutaneous Fat; D013848:Thigh; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Body components; Body temperature; Obesity; Thermography; Thermovision