Evaluation of body composition: a comparison between two systems of bioelectrical impedance

Abstract

This study compared resistance (R) and body composition obtained via the bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) leg‐to‐leg system with the arm‐to‐leg system, using underwater weighing as a standard method. The study subjects were 48 healthy men between 20‐40 years old. No difference was observed in the means of R, per cent body fat (%BF) and fat‐free mass (FFM) obtained from the two systems, but the range of individual differences was from – 70 to + 60ohms for R, from – 5 to + 7kg for FFM and – 8 to + 8 for %BF. The two systems of BIA overestimated the %BF and underestimated FFM. Concludes that LLS is an alternative to assessment of body composition in epidemiological studies. However, independent of the system, BIA is not appropriate for estimating body composition at an individual level.

Citation

Camacho Dias, P., Valeria da Veiga, G., Cavalcante da Silva, S. and Monteiro, W.D. (2001), "Evaluation of body composition: a comparison between two systems of bioelectrical impedance", Nutrition & Food Science, Vol. 31 No. 6, pp. 304-309. https://doi.org/10.1108/EUM0000000006156