Faculty, Staff and Student Publications
Language
English
Publication Date
1-1-1985
Journal
Nutrients
DOI
10.3390/nu17061021
PMID
40290097
PMCID
PMC11946597
PubMedCentral® Posted Date
3-14-2025
PubMedCentral® Full Text Version
Post-print
Abstract
Background: There is emerging interest in obesity and its prevalence, outcomes, and management in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Body mass index (BMI) is the traditional marker of obesity in MS, whereas body composition, inclusive of specific body tissue compartments (e.g., fat, bone, and muscle), is often overlooked despite its relevance.
Objective: This narrative review (a) underscored the use and utility of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) as an accurate and reliable measure of body composition; (b) thematically analyzed and synthesized the current evidence regarding body composition (using DEXA); and (c) determined gaps to be addressed in future research.
Methods: The structure and reporting of this narrative review followed the guiding criteria outlined in the Scale for the Assessment of Narrative Review Articles (SANRA). The relevant literature for this narrative review was identified via a PubMed search utilizing combined search terms such as ‘body composition’ and ‘multiple sclerosis’. The identified research was then organized by the authors into major themes and sub-themes. The articles described within the narrative review were based on saturation of the identified themes and sub-themes. Results: Three major themes were identified, namely (1) comparison of body composition between people with MS and non-MS controls (2 meta-analyses); (2) examination of the relationships between body composition and a range of outcomes (14 cross-sectional studies); and (3) interventions that report and/or target body composition in MS (11 clinical trials).
Conclusions: This narrative review mapped the existing evidence regarding body composition in MS, and posits body composition as a novel, informative, and targeted concept for this population. The narrative review underscores the importance of randomized controlled trials that focus on body composition as a significant and modifiable outcome. Such research could improve the understanding of obesity and poor body composition in MS and identify useful clinical recommendations for diagnosis and management.
Keywords
multiple sclerosis, body composition, obesity, adipose tissue, bone mineral density, lean soft tissue mass, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry
Published Open-Access
yes
Recommended Citation
, "Body Composition and Its Outcomes and Management in Multiple Sclerosis: Narrative Review" (1985). Faculty, Staff and Student Publications. 1560.
https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/uthsph_docs/1560