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Review
. 2019 Apr 16:10:430.
doi: 10.3389/fphys.2019.00430. eCollection 2019.

Body Composition and Body Weight Changes at Different Altitude Levels: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Tobias Dünnwald  1 , Hannes Gatterer  2 , Martin Faulhaber  3 , Marjan Arvandi  4 , Wolfgang Schobersberger  1   5
Affiliations
Review

Body Composition and Body Weight Changes at Different Altitude Levels: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Tobias Dünnwald et al. Front Physiol. .

Abstract

Changes in body composition and weight loss frequently occur when humans are exposed to hypoxic environments. The mechanisms thought to be responsible for these changes are increased energy expenditure resulting from increased basal metabolic rate and/or high levels of physical activity, inadequate energy intake, fluid loss as well as gastrointestinal malabsorption. The severity of hypoxia, the duration of exposure as well as the level of physical activity also seem to play crucial roles in the final outcome. On one hand, excessive weight loss in mountaineers exercising at high altitudes may affect performance and climbing success. On the other, hypoxic conditioning is presumed to have an important therapeutic potential in weight management programs in overweight/obese people, especially in combination with exercise. In this regard, it is important to define the hypoxia effect on both body composition and weight change. The purpose of this study is to define, through the use of meta-analysis, the extent of bodyweight -and body composition changes within the three internationally classified altitude levels (moderate altitude: 1500-3500 m; high altitude: 3500-5300 m; extreme altitude: >5300 m), with emphasis on physical activity, nutrition, duration of stay and type of exposure.

Keywords: body composition; exercise; high altitude; hypoxia; nutrition; weight loss.

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Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Potential factors being involved in bodyweight and body-composition changes at altitude. BMR, basal metabolic rate; FFM, free fat mass; FM, fat mass; MM, muscle mass.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Flow chart representation of literature search.
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
Forest plot from random-effects meta-analysis of mean bodyweight changes (95% CI) in the subgroup high (A), moderate (B) and extreme (C) altitude.
FIGURE 4
FIGURE 4
Forest plot from random-effects meta-analysis of mean fat free mass changes (95% CI) in the subgroup moderate (A), high (B) and extreme (C) altitude.
FIGURE 5
FIGURE 5
Forest plot from random-effects meta-analysis of mean fat mass changes (95% CI) in the subgroup moderate (A), high (B) and extreme (C) altitude.
FIGURE 6
FIGURE 6
Begg’s funnel plot of changes in bodyweight (A). Begg’s funnel plot of changes in fat mass (B).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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