The comparison of methods in the assessment of body composition
Item
- Title
- The comparison of methods in the assessment of body composition
- Author(s)
- Fardell Nicola K
- Abstract
-
ABSTRACTObjectives: Firstly to compare the reliability of the SF method to the ADP method in the measurement of Db, % BF and FFM (kg). Secondly to observe the effect of other parameters such as age, gender, B.M.I, individual SF measurements, BMD and grip strength in the prediction on FFM (kg). If no significant differences are found between SF and ADP then SF measurements can be used to give accurate measurements of body composition. If other parameters are found to correlate with FFM (kg) then they can be used in the clinical environment along with SF measurements in the estimation of the body composition components.
Summary of Background Data: The assessment of BF and FFM (kg) provides valuable information about the physical and metabolic status of humans. The ability to accurately measure BF is important because of the established association between high amounts of BF (obesity) and health complications.
Design: Measurements of body composition and other body variables on a small controlled group.
Setting: Exercise physiology laboratory, British College of Osteopathic Medicine, Lief House, London NW3.
Subjects: 31 healthy subjects were recruited from the first year BCOM student cohort, 17 females and 14 males, ranging from 17-38 years of age.
Methods: SF and ADP measured Db. This permitted the estimation of % BF, and FFM (kg), Fracture risk was measured using BUA and strength was measured from Grip strength analysis.
Results: Statistical analysis revealed that there was no significant difference between SF and ADP in the prediction of Db, % BF and FFM (kg) in the male group. However significant differences were found in the estimation of Db, % BF and FFM (kg) in the female group (P< .001). Fracture risk decreases the average difference between the two methods but the individual variability is increased. Biceps SF measurement for the whole population and the subscapularis SF in the female group had good correlations with FFM (kg) (R2>.7). Moderate correlation was found between B.M.I. and FFM (kg) (R2>.6) in the female group.
Conclusion: Results indicate that the SF is an accurate method in the prediction of body composition in the males only. Individuals with a high fracture risk would not necessarily give the same % BF when measured by ADP or SF. BMI can be used to give a better estimation of % BF and FFM (kg). Biceps in males and females, and subscapular in females can give an estimation of FFM (kg) and therefore %BF. This however has error and the sum of the four SF would be a much more reliable method.
Further Study
The effect of physical activity of FFM (kg) would be an interesting topic for further study. Low levels of vigorous physical activity and high levels of TV viewing are believed to be associated with increased BF in young children during the adiposity rebound period (Janz et, al., 2002). Physical inactivity is believed to be a risk factor for body mass gain and obesity among adults (Haapanen et. al., 1997); this can therefore have possible major heath implications in later life. One study found that the maintenance or prevention of an increase of BMI correlates with the prevention of a % BF increase for physically active subjects (Kyle et. al., 2001). Therefore observing the relationship between physical activity and %BF could increase the awareness of and thus the public health implications for the development and targeting of weight gain prevention strategies (Ball et. al., 2001).
The comparison of indirect methods e.g. ADP or SF to more direct methods e.g. MRI of measuring body composition will inform us of the reliability of the regression model calculated from the historical cadaver study.
The effect of age and race on FFM would be relevant for further study. This would show the degree of which they influence any difference between the ADP and SF methods (Lohman, 1981). - presented at
- British College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Date Accepted
- 0
- Date Submitted
- 1.1.1970 00:00:00
- Type
- osteo_thesis
- Language
- English
- Submitted by:
- 62
- Pub-Identifier
- 13580
- Inst-Identifier
- 1076
- Recommended
- 0
- Item sets
- Thesis
Fardell Nicola K, “The comparison of methods in the assessment of body composition”, Osteopathic Research Web, accessed May 3, 2025, https://www.osteopathic-research.org/s/orw/item/1177