A comparison of body composition measurement techniques. Issue 6 (6th January 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hillier, S. E.; Beck, L.; Petropoulou, A.; Clegg, M. E.
• Is Part Of: Journal of human nutrition and dietetics. Volume 27:Issue 6(2014)
• Page Start: 626
• Page End: 631
• Publication Date: 2014-01-06
• Subjects: Dietetics -- Periodicals; Nutrition -- Periodicals; 613.205
• DOI: 10.1111/jhn.12197
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0952-3871

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="jhn12197-abs-0001"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="jhn12197-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background</title> <p>An understanding of the reproducibility of body composition measurements is essential for effective intervention studies. Air displacement plethysmography (ADP) and bioelectrical impedance (BIA) are two easy‐to‐use measures of body composition. The present study aimed to assess the reproducibility of ADP and BIA and compare them with each other, as well as with skinfold measurement.</p> </sec> <sec id="jhn12197-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>Forty‐one participants were tested on two occasions following an overnight fast. On test day 1, participants' height, weight and % body fat (BF) were measured using ADP and BIA. Measurements were replicated to assess the within‐day reproducibility. On test day 2, participants were again tested using ADP and BIA and had skinfold measurements taken. Three skinfold equations for BF calculation were applied. Comparisons of within‐ and between‐day reproducibility and between measurement techniques were completed using Pearson correlations and Bland–Altman analysis.</p> </sec> <sec id="jhn12197-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Both Pearson correlation and Bland–Altman analysis showed good within‐ and between‐day relationships and agreement for BF from ADP and BIA measurements. The two methods had a high correlation between them; however, the mean difference between the two was 3.1% (4.1%). From the skinfold equations used, the best agreement with ADP had a mean difference of 0.3% (0.8%) and, with BIA, had mean differences of 1.9% (4.2%).</p> </sec> <sec id="jhn12197-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>The data indicate that ADP and BIA cannot be used interchangeably, although both measurements had good within‐ and between‐day agreement.</p> </sec> </abstract>