CHANGES IN LEAN BODY-MASS IN OBESE CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS TREATED WITH PROTEIN SPARING MODIFIED FAST

The aim of this study was to evaluate the lean body mass variation in obese children and adolescents under Protein Sparing Modified Fast (PS MF) treatment through two indirect, not invasive, methods: The Slaught er-Lohman formal as an anthropometric method, and the urinary excretio n of 3-Methylhistidine (3MHIS) as a biochemical method. Materials and methods. Thirty-five subjects, divided in two groups, participated in this study: Group A, 12 children (4 girls, 8 boys, age 9.5 +/- 1.9, OW % 73.8 +/- 20.1); Group B, 19 adolescents (14 girls, 5 boys, age 14.6 +/- 2.3, OW% 61.7 +/- 19.7). Diet: PSMF: Protein g 1.8 +/- 0.08 kg. IB W. day, total Kcalories 10.64 +/- 0.63 kg. IBW.day, prescribed for 9 w eeks +/- 1. Results. The 3MHIS final values were not significantly inc reased compared to the initial ones in both groups. In both groups the final value of lean body mass was significantly higher than the initi al ones (p < 0.03) in terms of percentage and Kg, while the fat mass w as significantly reduced. Conclusion. With all the limitations using i ndirect methods to measure body composition, it seems that a PSMF, pre scribed for 9 weeks +/- 1, does not cause a significant lean body mass loss in obese children and adolescents. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Inc .