Negative Effects of Obesity Analyzed through Bioimpedance,Indirect Calorimetry, the Sympathovagal Index and the Orthoclinostatic Test

摘要

Early analysis of the negative effects of obesity is important to prevent the development of chronic diseases related to this condition. There is a need to monitor these effects through simple instrumentation that measures fat-free mass (FFM) catabolism. Obesity leads to a decrease in the FFM energy expenditure and to an increase in the autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity. Thus, the measurement of FFM dynamic catabolism can provide information regarding the effects of obesity. The hypothesis is that this increased ANS activity produces an increase of energy expenditure of carbohydrates and fats when the subjects are under stress; in this case after an 8-hour fast and while they are undergoing an orthoclinostatic test. A pilot study was conducted on 29 volunteers, 16 women and 13 men. The results show significant statistical differences (p