3D surface-imaging for volumetric measurement in people with obesity.

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.