Modeling transitions in body composition: the approach to steady state for anthropometric measures and physiological functions in the Minnesota human starvation study.

Background: This study evaluated whether the changes in several anthropometric and functional measures during caloric restriction combined with walking and treadmill exercise would fit a simple model of approach to steady state (a plateau) that can be solved using spreadsheet software (Microsoft Excel). We hypothesized that transitions in waist girth and several body compartments would fit a simple exponential model that approaches a stable steady-state.

Methods: The model (an equation) was applied to outcomes reported in the Minnesota starvation experiment using Microsoft Excel's Solver function to derive rate parameters (k) and projected steady state values.

Waist girth normalized to body build in obesity assessment.

Waist girth (WG) is regarded as the most significant anthropometric parameter associated with cardiovascular risk. The objective of the present study was to strengthen WG as an obesity marker by basing WG assessment not on gender but on individually measured body build characteristics that need not coincide with gender. We formulated a new marker, the Waist Reference Girth (WRG) and two corollaries, the Waist Deviation (WD) and the Percent Waist Deviation (%WD).