Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Body Composition Measurement In Children With Cerebral Palsy, Spina Bifida And Spinal Cord Injury: A Systematic Review Of The Literature, Michele L. Polfuss, Paula E. Papanek, Fallon Meyer-Wentland, Andrea Moosreiner, Lenore R. Wilkas, Kathleen J. Sawin

Exercise Science Faculty Research and Publications

Pediatric obesity is a major health concern that has an increased prevalence in children with special needs. In order to categorize a child’s weight, an assessment of body composition is needed. Obtaining an accurate body composition measurement in children with special needs has many challenges associated with it. This perplexing scenario limits the provider’s ability to screen, prevent and treat an abnormal weight status in this vulnerable population. This systematic review summarizes common methods of body composition measurements, their strengths and limitations and reviews the literature when measurements were used in children with cerebral palsy, spina bifida and spinal cord …