Study design: Narrative review.
Objectives: Review methods used to measure and classify obesity in individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCI). Outline the strengths and weaknesses of each method used to measure obesity in individuals with SCI.
Setting: International.
Methods: PubMed was used to identify articles before 2016. Search terms ('obesity' or 'weight status' and 'spinal cord injury'). Filters: adults, English and human. Studies were retained that (1) included participants, 18 years or older, with SCI; (2) took place in inpatient, outpatient or community-based settings and (3) measured obesity status. Unique methods for classifying individuals with SCI as obese were identified and examples are presented.
Results: Methods identified for classifying obesity were as follows: World Health Organization body mass index (BMI) cutoff⩾30 kg m-2, BMI cutoff ⩾25-29 kg m-2, and SCI-specific BMI cutoff ⩾22 kg m-2, waist circumference cutoff (women >102 cm, men >88 cm), percent body fat cutoffs ⩾25% using bioelectrical impedance analysis and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, computerized tomography scan visceral fat area ⩾100 cm2 and percentage of ideal body weight.
Conclusions: BMI is the most widely used measure of obesity in the SCI literature. Although some studies identified alternative cutoffs or other metrics, there is no standardized obesity classification in SCI. However, research is needed to determine and validate obesity classification specific to SCI due to physiological changes that occur following injury. We recommend that researchers and clinicians proceed with caution and use methodology based on the purpose of measurement.