title: Body Composition Changes Associated With Methadone Treatment.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Methadone is associated with a statistically significant increase in BMI in the first 2 years of treatment.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the changes of body composition (bone mass, % fat, % muscle mass, % water, and basal metabolic rate) related to this increase.
  
  
  METHODS
  Changes in body composition were monitored, via bioelectrical impedance, in 29 patients in methadone treatment for opiate dependency (age 18 to 44, mean = 29.3, SD = 7.0, 13 men, 16 women).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Within one year from admission to treatment, a statistically significant (t-tests, P < 0.05) increase was noted in their body mass index (BMI), % of body fat, average body mass, and average basal metabolic rate, and relative decrease in their % of muscle mass and % of bone mass. Neither absolute bone mass nor muscle mass changed significantly.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Physicians involved in care of methadone patients should recommend dietary and lifestyle changes to improve their overall health.
authors.affiliation: Methadone Clinic, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Gamal E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Sadek
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Western Ontario, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chiu
authors.affiliation: Methadone Clinic, Ontario, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of Western Ontario, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Zack Z
authors.initials: ZZ
authors.lastname: Cernovsky
keywords: Body Mass Index; Methadone; Obesity