Body Composition and Fat Distribution Patterns in Women With and Without Lipedema

• Grant number: 25/11638-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2025
• End date: July 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Nutrition - Nutritional Analysis of Population
• Principal Investigator: Anderson Marliere Navarro
• Grantee: Lívia Rodrigues Freitas
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Introduction: Lipedema is an adipose tissue disorder with a significant prevalence among women, yet its etiological factors remain poorly understood. Lipedematous adipose tissue demonstrates distinct metabolic and endocrine behaviors compared to typical adipose tissue, including an abnormal hormonal profile and resistance to lipolysis, even in response to caloric restriction and physical activity. These characteristics contribute to frequent misdiagnosis, with lipedema often being confused with other forms of lipodystrophy. Consequently, therapeutic approaches tend to be imprecise, non-individualized, and frequently unsupported by robust scientific evidence. Objective: To assess the body fat distribution pattern in women diagnosed with lipedema through anthropometric measurements and bioelectrical impedance spectroscopy (BIS). Methodology: Case-control study involving two groups: a control group (CG) comprising women without lipedema, and a lipedema group (LG) consisting of women with a confirmed clinical diagnosis. Sample size calculation was based on Singer's equation (2001), using total cholesterol as the reference variable, as prior studies have demonstrated significant differences in this marker between the two populations. The study protocol includes the following assessments: evaluation of lipedema-related symptoms, body composition analysis via BIS, anthropometric measurements, laboratory tests, and sociodemographic profiling. Data will be presented using descriptive statistics and visualized through appropriate charts and tables to provide a comprehensive overview of variability across groups. Variance and correlation analyses will be conducted, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05.