Body composition and measurement options

Abstract

The most commonly used method for determining nutritional status to date is the BMI (Body Mass Index). From a scientific point of view, as it is based only on body weight and height, it can be misleading in many cases and is of limited use for the professional assessment of health status and obesity. Today there are more modern and accurate methods. Bioimpedance-based body composition assessment (BIA) systems provide detailed information on body weight, muscle and fat mass and water content. The frequency ranges and measurement points used have a major impact on the accuracy of the measurement data, and the Inbody series excels in this respect. Unlike other devices, it can also provide lean body mass and fat mass broken down by limb. Changes in nutritional status can be used as a predictor of disease progression, so the results of body composition measurement have applications in many areas of healthcare. Examples include diet therapy, obesity management, perioperative care, sports nutrition, supplementation of various therapies (oncology, nephrology, diabetology, cardiology, etc.), rehabilitation. Considering all these factors, it would be worthwhile to extend the use of BIA-based devices to the field of primary prevention (e.g. general practitioners, population screening, workplace health promotion).