Body-composition assessment via air-displacement plethysmography in adults and children: a review

Abstract

Laboratory-based body-composition techniques include hydrostatic weighing (HW), dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), measurement of total body water (TBW) by isotope dilution, measurement of total body potassium, and multicompartment models. Although these reference methods are used routinely, each has inherent practical limitations. Whole-body air-displacement plethysmography is a new practical alternative to these more traditional body-composition methods. We reviewed the principal findings from studies published between December 1995 and August 2001 that compared the BOD POD method (Life Measurement, Inc, Concord, CA) with reference methods and summarized factors contributing to the different study findings. The average of the study means indicates that the BOD POD and HW agree within 1% body fat (BF) for adults and children, whereas the BOD POD and DXA agree within 1% BF for adults and 2% BF for children. Few studies have compared the BOD POD with multicompartment models; those that have suggest a similar average underestimation of approximate 2-3% BF by both the BOD POD and HW. Individual variations between 2-compartment models compared with DXA and 4 -compartment models are partly attributable to deviations from the assumed chemical composition of the body. Wide variations among study means, -4.0% to 1.9% BF for BOD POD - HW and -3.0% to 1.7% BF for BOD POD - DXA, are likely due in part to differences in laboratory equipment, study design, and subject characteristics and in some cases to failure to follow the manufacturer's recommended protocol. Wide intersubject variations between methods are partly attributed to technical precision and biological error but to a large extent remain unexplained. On the basis of this review, future research goals are suggested.

Use of hand-to-hand impedancemetry to predict body composition of African women as measured by air displacement plethysmography

“…The ADP and hydrostatic weighing densitometry agree within 1% BF in adults (Fields et al, 2002). ADP is a reliable and valid technique that can quickly and safely evaluate body composition (Demerath et al, 2002).…”

The criterion validity of a last 7-day physical activity questionnaire (SAPAQ) for use in adolescents with a wide variation in body fat: the Stockholm Weight Development Study

“…Body volume was measured by airdisplacement plethysmography using the Bod Pod s , after adjustments for predicted thoracic lung volume and estimated surface area artefact. 5 FM, percentage body fat and FFM were calculated by the software provided by the manufacturer according to the Siri Equation. 6 Body volume was measured in duplicate or triplicate, when the initial two measures differed by 4150 ml.…”

Changes in thoracic gas volume with air-displacement plethysmography after a weight loss program in overweight and obese women

“…Furthermore, test-retest reliability, between-day variability, within-subject variability and between-instrument variability appear to be good to excellent (Fields et al, 2002;Ball, 2005;Going, 2005). Other studies have also assessed the importance of selected methodological issues associated with ADP such as the effects of clothing, hair and skin surface area to measure body volume (Vb) with adequate accuracy (Fields et al, 2000(Fields et al, , 2002.…”

“…This equipment has been widely validated against reference methods in healthy children, adolescents, adults and elderly (Sardinha et al, 1998;Collins et al, 1999;Levenhagen et al, 1999;Miyatake et al, 1999;Nunez et al, 1999;Wagner et al, 2000;Fields et al, 2001;Millard-Stafford et al, 2001;Bosy-Westphal et al, 2003;Silva et al, 2006). Furthermore, test-retest reliability, between-day variability, within-subject variability and between-instrument variability appear to be good to excellent (Fields et al, 2002;Ball, 2005;Going, 2005). Other studies have also assessed the importance of selected methodological issues associated with ADP such as the effects of clothing, hair and skin surface area to measure body volume (Vb) with adequate accuracy (Fields et al, 2000(Fields et al, , 2002.…”