Muscle development in healthy children evaluated by bioelectrical impedance analysis.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to use bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) to generate a new muscle density index (MDI), the MDI_BIA, to evaluate muscle development, and to demonstrate the changes that occur in the BIA-based muscle cross-sectional area index (MCAI_BIA) that accompany growth. We also sought to determine the traceability of chronological changes in the MDI_BIA and MCAI_BIA.


METHODS
Healthy children (n=112) aged 8.68±3.16years (0.33-14.00years) underwent bioelectrical impedance (BI) measurements of their upper arms, thighs, and lower legs. The MDI_BIA and MCAI_BIA were calculated, and cross-sectional investigations were conducted into the changes in these indices that accompanied growth. Data collected after 1.10±0.08years from 45 participants determined the traceability of the chronological changes in the MDI_BIA and MCAI_BIA.


RESULTS
The MDI_BIA and MCAI_BIA were significantly positively correlated with age and height at all locations (P<0.01). The relationships between the locations and the MDI_BIA and MCAI_BIA differed, indicating that these indices evaluated the muscles from different perspectives. Except for the upper arm MDI_BIA, both indices at all locations regardless of age, showed significant chronological increases after an average period of 1.10years.


CONCLUSIONS
The MDI_BIA and MCAI_BIA were significantly correlated with age and height in healthy children, and they showed significant chronological increases. Hence, these indices could be used to represent muscle development and muscle mass increases. BIA is non-invasive, convenient, and economical and it may be useful in evaluating muscle development and muscle cross-sectional areas in children.
Tanita Body Weight Scientific Institute, Japan. Electronic address: tomoka.uchiyama@tanita.co.jp.
Tomoka
T
Uchiyama
Department of Neurology, Yokohama Rosai Hospital, Japan.
Takahiro
T
Nakayama
Department of Neurology, NHO Suzuka Hospital, Japan.
Satoshi
S
Kuru
D000293:Adolescent; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D000886:Anthropometry / Q000379:methods; D001132:Arm / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology; D001827:Body Height; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development / Q000502:physiology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D017097:Electric Impedance; D004568:Electrodiagnosis / Q000379:methods; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007866:Leg / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D024510:Muscle Development / Q000502:physiology*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000502:physiology*; D009929:Organ Size; D012727:Sex Characteristics
Bioelectrical impedance; Development; Growth; Muscle