The CNRC operates one of the world’s best equipped Body Composition Laboratories with a wide range of state of the art equipment for non-invasively assessing the body composition of children who are healthy and those with disease.
The purpose of the Body Composition Laboratory is to conduct research in the area of body composition, and carry out measurements of body composition and energy expenditure to monitor growth, nutritional status, rehabilitation, and energy requirements in a variety of clinical conditions.
How are children referred to the Body Composition Laboratory?
The Body Composition Laboratory is primarily used by CNRC researchers to gather data for research studies, but is also able to accommodate assessment of clinical cases. Common clinical conditions referred to the laboratory include cancer, eating disorders, obesity, head and spinal injuries, cerebral palsy, inflammatory bowel disease and cystic fibrosis.
The laboratory has the appropriate technology and expertise necessary to run tests and interpret results to assist clinicians in planning future treatment or management of a child’s condition. Children can be referred to the Body Composition Laboratory from the Royal Children’s Hospital, or any other hospital or private clinic. Treatment is eligible for bulk-billing through Medicare.
For referrals to the body composition laboratory. Contact 07 3636 8311 or email bcl@uq.edu.au
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The methods used at the Body Composition Laboratory are non-invasive and painless. These methods are outlined below:
Body Composition
Body Composition Whole Body Counter - Total Body Potassium
The Body Composition Laboratory operates the only whole body counter for the measurement of total body potassium in Queensland. Potassium40 is a naturally occurring isotope found in the active cells of the body. Total body potassium can be used to predict body cell mass and thus nutritional status, if the amount of Potassium40 in the body is known.
Bod Pod®
The Body Composition Laboratory houses one of only a handful of Bod Pods in Australia. The Bod Pod uses air displacement to measure body volume and then calculate percent fat. It is a relatively new method in the field, so the laboratory is currently undertaking research to further validate the Bod Pod for use in clinical situations. It is a preferred body composition method as it is quick, simple and non-invasive.
In 2007 we obtained a "Pea Pod", which uses a similar approach to the Bod Pod to assess body composition in infants. |
Total body potassium measurement |
Single and Multiple Frequency Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA)
BIA measures the impedance of the body tissues to the flow of a small electrical current. Impedance is proportional to total body water. From an estimate of total body water, and by using several assumptions, fat free mass, fat mass and percent fat can be determined through population specific equations.
The lab also has access to DEXA, pQCT and MRI scanning.
Activity and Physical Fitness
We have access to a range of portable methods of monitoring activity in children such as pedometers, heart rate monitors and accelerometers. |
Body volume measurement |
Energy Expenditure
Resting Energy Expenditure
The Deltatrac II Metabolic Monitor uses the open hood circuit method to measure resting energy expenditure. Inspired oxygen and expired carbon dioxide measurements are used to calculate energy expenditure and respiratory quotient while at rest. These data can be used to inform dietary evaluation.
Expertise in Stable Isotope Methods
The CNRC has considerable expertise in the use of stable isotope methods. Such methods are used to calculate body composition (via total body water) and energy expenditure.
Total Body Water
Total body water can be measured using the stable isotope deuterium (2H). |
Resting energy expenditure measurement |
The enrichment of this isotope in either urine or saliva is determined using isotope ratio mass spectrometry.These data can be used to estimate fat-free mass, fat mass, the hydration ability of fluid solutions and fluid balance.
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 Total body water assessment using BIA
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Total Energy Expenditure
Two stable isotopes, 18O and deuterium (2H), are used as the gold standard measure of total energy expenditure. Determination of the decay rates of these isotopes by collection of saliva or urine and using isotope ratio mass spectrometry allows the total energy expenditure of free living individuals to be accurately determined. We have access to databases of total energy expenditure in healthy children that provides ‘control’ data for future studies. |
