Body Composition of overweight and Obese Adolescent Girls (15 - 19 Years)

Abstract

Adolescence is the period of transition between childhood and adulthood that involves biological, cognitive and socio - emotional changes. WHO defines "adolescents" as individuals in the 10 to 19 years age group. The most important predictor of adult obesity appears to be adolescent weight and changes of Body Mass Index (BMI) during this time. Growth and development in children and adolescents are associated with changes in body composition that affect body fatness and leanness. Body composition, used as one of the measures of growth is commonly defined as the proportions of fat, muscle, bone and other tissues in the body. Studies on body composition using Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) method are scarce in India; hence, this study was an effort to provide data on the body composition of normal, overweight and obese adolescent girls aged 15 to 19 years.