Why is lean mass not available for patients under 18 years old?
Why is lean mass not available for patients under 18 years old?
Lean mass and certain related body composition metrics are intentionally restricted for individuals under 18 years old in Styku Studio. This is not a setting you can change. The restriction exists to protect the accuracy of the data your patients see.
Why these metrics are restricted
Styku's body composition algorithms — including lean mass calculations — are built on datasets from adults aged 18 and older. Styku's algorithm was derived by scanning over 200 participants with both a Styku body scanner and a DXA (Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry) machine, correlating circumference measurements with DXA-derived body composition values. Because this reference dataset is drawn from adult populations, when the resulting equations are applied to younger individuals, they may produce inaccurate results.
Rather than display numbers that could be misleading, Styku restricts those metrics for profiles where the date of birth indicates the patient is under 18. This is especially important in clinical and weight management contexts, where inaccurate lean mass data could influence patient care decisions.
Lean mass refers to the portion of body weight composed of muscle, bone, water, and organs — distinct from fat mass. Because Styku's body composition algorithm is generally within 1–2% of a DXA scanner for the adult populations on which it was validated, applying it outside that validated population risks producing results that fall outside that accuracy range.
What this means for your practice
- Circumference measurements and 3D body shape data are still captured for patients under 18.
- Body composition metrics that depend on adult reference datasets — such as lean mass, body fat percentage, and sarcopenia risk (assessed via Appendicular Lean Soft Tissue Index) — will not be displayed for those profiles.
- There is currently no setting or workaround to enable these metrics for patients under 18.
Feedback for future improvement
Styku's product team is aware that clinicians working in pediatric weight management, nutrition, and similar fields have a need for these metrics. If this affects your practice, you can submit feedback directly through the Styku Business Portal to add your voice to this request.
If this resolves your issue, no further action is needed.
If the problem persists or you have additional questions about body composition metrics for your patient population, contact support and include: the age of the patient profile in question, the specific metrics that appear restricted, and the version of Styku Studio you are running (visible in the app's settings or about screen).
Applies to: Styku Studio V5, all Styku configurations — patients with a date of birth indicating age under 18.
Related Resources
- Body Composition Metrics — Body Fat, Lean Mass, Weight, and Sarcopenia
- How does Styku predict body fat?