Methods for Body Composition Analysis in Adults

Abstract

Abstract:Fat and lean components of the body including total body fat, fat-free mass and total body water and ectopic fat accumulation are important constituents that link obesity, aging, and chronic disease to subsequent morbidity and mortality. The methodology of body composition is based on a series of models characterized by progressive levels of anatomical complexity. A commonly used example is five-level model: atomic, molecular, cellular, tissue-system, whole body. Each body composition analysis method targets a component or a subcomponent of the five-level model of body composition. The choice of body composition analysis method greatly depends on the question being asked, the setting where the measurement is performed and the availability of measuring devices. Body composition analysis methods vary in complexity and precision, and range from simple field based methods to more technically challenging, laboratory based methods. Although several methods have been developed to assess body composition, anthropometric indices are simple, safe and cheap measures to quantify obesity. Body mass index, calculated from height and weight, is the most frequently used, quickest and the easiest measure. As body mass index does not differentiate peripheral from abdominal obesity, the use of waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio was proposed in various guidelines. Waist-to-height ratio is emerging as a new anthropometric index with a potential for global use in different ethnic groups and in adults and children. The minimum measurements to be made in the basal evaluation of overweight patients are weight, height and waist circumference to calculate body mass index and waist-to-height ratio.

Relationship between Body Composition and Pulmonary Function in Early Adult Life: A Cross-Sectional Analysis Nested in Two Birth Cohort Studies

“…Usually a high BMI means high adiposity levels, but a person with high FFM can also have an elevated BMI. The same can happen with WC that is usually recommended as measure of central obesity, mainly in young adults [ 21 ]. Additionally, all results for FM and FFM showed opposite trends in the association with PF, which may explain the absence of association pattern in measures that cannot distinguish these two components.…”

Comparisons of a Multi-Frequency Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis to the Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry Scan in Healthy Young Adults Depending on their Physical Activity Level

“…Recent years have seen an important and rapid development of methods and technologies dedicated to the assessment of body composition and especially to the quantification of total and regional body fat ( Ayvaz, 2011 ). This improvement is mainly due to a growing interest in body fat estimation and relates to the alarming progression of overweight, obesity, and their metabolic complications.…”

Association between interleukin-6, C-reactive protein and adiponectin with adiposity: Findings from the 1993 pelotas (Brazil) birth cohort at 18 and 22 years

“…BMI reflects obesity (as a whole) without differentiating fat mass from lean mass. Waist circumference is usually recommended as measure of central obesity, mainly in young adults [37] and it could be a stronger predictor of mortality and comorbidities in adult life than BMI, but also does not differ the fat from the lean mass.…”