Beyond BMI: Lean Body Mass & Nutrition

Publication Date: 09 September 2017

Presenter(s): Carla M. Prado, PhD, RD

Location: The Hague, The Netherlands

Beyond BMI: Lean Body Mass and Nutrition

Dr Prado highlights the value of body composition analysis in determining health and disease risk. She discusses the relationship between muscle mass and malnutrition in key patient populations, in which low muscle mass predicts outcomes, particularly complications and mortality. Dr Prado emphasizes that body mass index (BMI) does not reflect body composition and muscle mass, and therefore should not be used to make clinical decisions regarding nutrition. Dr Prado concludes with a discussion on key nutrients and energy needs for patients with low muscle mass.

Presenter Bio(s)

Carla Prado, PhD, RD, FCAHS

Distinguished University Professor
Research Chair, Integrative Nutrition, Body Composition & Energy Metabolism
Director, Human Nutrition Research Unit
University of Alberta
Edmonton, AB, CA

Dr Carla Prado is a Distinguished University Professor and a Canada Research Chair in Integrative Nutrition, Body Composition, and Energy Metabolism (Tier 1). She is also a registered dietitian. She directs the Human Nutrition Research Unit, recognized as one of the world’s leading research and training facilities for body composition and energy metabolism assessments.

Dr Prado's research focuses on assessing nutritional status through precise measurements of body composition and energy metabolism. Her current research program investigates the prevalence and health outcomes of abnormal body composition phenotypes in patients with diverse chronic conditions. She is also developing targeted nutrition interventions to optimize body composition and improve health outcomes.

Dr Prado is an Associate Editor for two of the top journals in her field, serves on several international clinical guideline committees, and is a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences as well as a member of the Royal Society of Canada’s College of New Scholars, Artists, and Scientists. She was named one of Canada’s Top 40 Under 40, one of Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100, and a Highly Cited Researcher by Clarivate™ (Web of Science), a recognition placing her among the top 1% of researchers globally for her significant and broad influence in the field.

 

Category
Adult Muscle Mass