3D surface-imaging for volumetric measurement in people with obesity

Sean Clarkson, Stuart W. Flint, David R. Broom, Matt Capehorn, Jonathan Wheat

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Current methods for tracking the progress of people with obesity towards a weight loss goal appear simple and potentially misleading. A technique to quantify change in body shape whilst visualising areas of the body where weight loss occurs would be advantageous, and has the potential to be used as a motivational tool. Three-dimensional (3D) surface-imaging would serve as a good basis for such a technique, however current systems are prohibitively expensive. OBJECTIVE: Highlight the use of a cheaper alternative 3D surface-imaging system for volumetric measurement in people with obesity. METHODS: A recently developed low-cost 3D surface-imaging system was used, having previously being validated in a healthy population. A total of 61 people with obesity, enrolled on a weight-loss programme, were surface-imaged using the system. RESULTS: The findings suggest the low-cost system can obtain 3D surface-images of an obese human body, from which numerical parameters could be calculated and further analysis conducted. CONCLUSIONS: Further studies will focus on the validity and reliability of such analyses and the potential of the system to be considered as a long-term instalment in primary healthcare settings as a weight loss aid.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)363-369
Number of pages7
JournalTechnology and Health Care
Volume26
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 23 Apr 2018
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2018-IOS Press and the authors. All rights reserved.

Keywords

  • 3D Surface-imaging
  • anthropometry
  • obesity
  • volume

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biophysics
  • Bioengineering
  • Biomaterials
  • Information Systems
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Health Informatics

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