Can Adipose Tissue Influence the Evaluation of Thermographic Images in Adolescents?

Hamilton H. T. Reis (), Ciro J. Brito, Manuel Sillero-Quintana, Alisson G. Silva, Ismael Fernández-Cuevas, Matheus S. Cerqueira, Francisco Z. Werneck and João C. B. Marins
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Hamilton H. T. Reis: Departamento de Educação Física, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa 36570-900, Brazil
Ciro J. Brito: Departamento de Educação Física, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Governador Valadares 35010-180, Brazil
Manuel Sillero-Quintana: Faculty of Physical Activity and Sports Sciences (INEF), Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Alisson G. Silva: Departamento de Educação Física, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa 36570-900, Brazil
Ismael Fernández-Cuevas: Faculty of Physical Activity and Sports Sciences (INEF), Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Matheus S. Cerqueira: Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Sudeste de Minas Gerais, Rio Pomba 36180-000, Brazil
Francisco Z. Werneck: Departamento de Educação Física, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto 35400-000, Brazil
João C. B. Marins: Departamento de Educação Física, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa 36570-900, Brazil

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 5, 1-11

Abstract: Infrared thermography (IRT) is a technology easy to use for clinical purposes as a pre-diagnostic tool for many health conditions. However, the analysis process of a thermographic image needs to be meticulous to make an appropriate decision. The adipose tissue is considered a potential influence factor in the skin temperature (Tsk) values obtained by IRT. This study aimed to verify the influence of body fat percentage (%BF) on Tsk measured by IRT in male adolescents. A total of 100 adolescents (16.79 ± 0.97 years old and body mass index of 18.41 ± 2.32 kg/m²) was divided into two groups through the results of a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry analysis: obese ( n = 50, %BF 30.21 ± 3.79) and non-obese ( n = 50, %BF 11.33 ± 3.08). Thermograms were obtained by a FLIR T420 infrared camera and analyzed by ThermoHuman ® software version 2.12, subdividing the body into seven regions of interest (ROI). The results showed that obese adolescents presented lower mean Tsk values than the non-obese for all ROIs ( p < 0.05), with emphasis on the global Tsk (0.91 °C) and anterior (1.28 °C) and posterior trunk (1.18 °C), with “very large” effect size values. A negative correlation was observed in all the ROI ( p < 0.01), mainly in the anterior (r = −0.71, p < 0.001) and posterior trunk (r = −0.65, p < 0.001). Tables of thermal normality were proposed for different ROIs according to the classification of obesity. In conclusion, the %BF affects the registered Tsk values in male Brazilian adolescents assessed by IRT.

Keywords: temperature mapping; body composition; adiposity; adolescents (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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