Affiliations: [a] Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering, School of Mechanical Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK | [b] School of Sport, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, UK | [c] Academy of Sport and Physical Activity, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, UK | [d] Rotherham Institute for Obesity, Rotherham, UK
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Jonathan Wheat, Academy of Sport and Physical Activity, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield S10 2BP, UK. Tel.: +44 114 225 4330; Fax: +44 114 225 4356; E-mail: J.Wheat@shu.ac.uk.
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.
Keywords: 3D Surface-imaging, anthropometry, obesity, volume
