• David R Spain, Anne M Andrews, Sara A Crews, and Joetta M Khan.
• Nutrition Services Department, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA.
• Mil Med. 2023 Jan 4; 188 (1-2): e140e144e140-e144.

ObjectivesThe primary objective was to examine body fat composition in males with traumatic lower limb loss and a comparison group without limb loss. A secondary objective was to determine if there are differences in body fat composition by traumatic limb loss level.Research Methods And ProceduresCross-sectional analyses of baseline in-person intake data was completed at a large military medical center. Data were collected from 2011 to 2020, and analysis was conducted in 2020. Participants (n = 89) included males who sustained traumatic lower limb loss (n = 50) and an age-matched comparison group without limb loss (n = 39). Mean age of participants was 36.0 ± 13.2 years. Main outcomes measured included age, height, body mass index, weight, body fat mass and percent, android fat mass and percent, gynoid fat mass and percent, and android/gynoid percent fat ratio. Differences between groups were assessed using t-tests or Mann-Whitney U tests. Differences between limb loss levels were assessed using one-way ANOVA or Wilcoxon signed-rank test.ResultsBody fat percent (P = .001), gynoid fat percent (P = .010), android fat mass (P = .01), and percent (P = .02) were higher in the group with limb loss. There were no differences in body fat composition between limb loss levels (P > .05).ConclusionMales with traumatic lower limb loss had a higher body fat percent compared to those without limb loss. Given higher body fat composition in individuals with limb loss and the relationship between body fat composition and cardiovascular disease risk, including body composition analysis with clinical screening could identify changes and allow for early intervention.Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Association of Military Surgeons of the United States 2021. This work is written by (a) US Government employee(s) and is in the public domain in the US.

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