The authors of this paper noted that there is no reliable way to measure body size or volumes in severely obese individuals. Accordingly, they sought to study the efficacy of a newly developed 3-day photonic scanner (3DPS) in assessing body composition, body volumes, and dimensions in severely obese individuals [body mass index (BMI) >35 kg/m2]. They also investigated regional body volumes as proportions of total body volume and their associations with BMI, waist circumference, and percentage of body fat in severely obese men (n=9) and women (n=23). These results were compared to those of individuals with a BMI less than 35 kg/m2 (28 women and 30 men). Study findings indicate that men, irrespective of BMI, have a greater trunk volume as a proportion of total body volume (TV/TBV), while women have a greater leg volume (LV). Moreover, TV/TBV was found to be positively associated with BMI, waist circumference, and percentage of body fat, while LV/TBV was negatively associated with BMI, waist circumference, and percentage of body fat in severely obese men and women. The authors conclude that body volume gains are mainly in the trunk region, irrespective of BMI and sex. However, for a given BMI, waist circumference, and percentage of body fat, men have a significantly larger trunk volume than women. They therefore suggest that men could be at greater health risk because their body mass is unfavourably distributed.
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