Abstract
Introduction. In humans, using adipose tissue to store fat represents the most effective means to ‘store’ energy. On the whole and over an extended period of time, intake of energy has exceeded energy expenditure and where previously the excess of energy was regularly turned over through physical activity, this crucial circle has now been broken. In this way obesity ascribed to either ‘overeating’ or ‘under-activity’. Central adiposity poses a major risk for chronic diseases such as hypertension, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, and possibly mortality. Predictors and potential factors underlying the development of excess adiposity were well studied and established with emphasis on fat mass. Objective. When studying the development of body composition, bone mass, fat mass and lean mass should be considered together. The purposes of the present paper are to briefly analyze the methodologies used to estimate the lean mass (LM), understanding the interrelationship between fat mass (FM) and LM and underline the importance of LM during growth. Results. As muscle and adipose tissue are closely linked anatomically, biologically and pathologically, the interrelationship between these two tissues is of great importance in understanding the pathogenesis and development of diseases related to obesity and physical activity/inactivity. LM estimation, and LM programming could show several implications for the early origin of obesity. Conclusion. Measurements of lean mass may improve the capacity to tailor nutrition, treatment and management to metabolic criteria. This approach could offer a unique opportunity of putting lean mass in the first line keeping in mind that this metabolic active tissue need to be preserved when obesity prevention and treatment are considered.
Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.