Body Composition

Body Composition

Body composition is performed at the RRAMP lab utilizing a two-chamber Bod Pod system. The Bod Pod is an egg – shaped chamber that uses air displacement and pressure volume relationships to derive body volume. This method of body composition is highly reliable and as accurate as the gold – standard under water weighing (hydro densitometry) method. The procedure takes ~10 minutes and is easily administered to a number of patient populations, including children.

Body Composition Body Composition
PI Title Description Co-PIs/ Students involved
Sharon Martino, PT, Ph.D. Effect of exercise intensity ... in overweight/ obese children Several aspects of body composition, in particular the amount and distribution of body fat and the amount and composition of lean mass, are now understood to be important health outcomes in infants and children.
 Co-PIs: Peter Morelli M.D., Raymond McKenna PT, Ph.D.

Fit Kids for Life Program

The “Fit Kids for Life Program” is a  10-week inclusive wellness program that incorporates nutrition, mindfulness and physical activity for children and adolescents who have at least one cardiovascular disease risk factor, such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension.  Interdisciplinary in nature and based upon the Expert Committee Recommendations for treatment of the child with obesity (Barlow, SE, 2007), this  program is administered by Dr. Peter Morelli, a pediatric cardiologist, and Dr. Sharon Martino, a physical therapist.  Other team members include a registered dietitian, faculty from the SBU Physical Therapy program and several SBU student volunteers.  

The program is offered twice a year, once in the Fall and once in the Spring, and takes place at Ward Melville High School, 360 Old Town Road, Setauket, NY,  in a state of the art fitness center.  Each year approximately 60 children/adolescents complete the program.  

The Fit Kids for Life Program is a service offered through the Stony Brook Children’s Healthy Weight and Wellness Center.  If you would like more information or to set up an appt to have your child screened, please call (631) 444-2730 or (631) 444-KIDS, or for further information, call 631-444-3256.

 Research Associated with Fit Kids for Life

  1. Body composition: Several aspects of body composition, in particular the amount and distribution of body fat and the amount and composition of lean mass, are now understood to be important health outcomes in infants and children.
  2. Effects of exercise intensity on body composition, vascular health and cardiovascular endurance
  3. Role of parents in creating healthy lifestyles / healthy families
  4. Effects of FKFL program on cardiovascular health
  5. Collaborative service learning models for students
  6. Inclusive fitness and wellness models for children who are overweight/ obese