Analysis of body composition using bioimpedance (BIA) data

BACKGROUND: Knowledge of body composition in health and disease has been a continuing interest for clinicians, because components of the body often provide more useful information than the whole-body measurements of weight, height, and the derived parameter, body mass index. Bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA) is a widely used method to estimate body composition. The technology is relatively simple, quick, and noninvasive. The propose of this study was to determine the body composition changes of 11-days clinic-based weight management program.SUBJECTS AND METHODS: For a period of two years (2004-2005) we studied 519 overweight and obese women (BMI, X±SD, 32.94±6.51 kg/m2). The diagnostic protocol included anthropometric data, body composition analyse with Tanita ® leg-to-leg BIA system (model TBF - 300A), blood analysis, cardiological, dietological and physiotherapeutical specialist consult. All of patients keep to a low-calorie diet, intensive everyday exercise and physiotherapy procedures. The lectures course included of basis nutrition, healthy eating, long-term exercise program.RESULTS: Weight loss for the group was 2.57 kg. The fat-mass loss was 1.25 kg, free-fat mass was also decrease 1.31 kg. Reductions in circumferences of waist and hip for the group was 3.9 cm and 3.09 cm respectively. Basal metabolic rate was significantly reduced (p < 0.001). Patients had improved some components (total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, fasting glucose, blood pressure).CONCLUSION: These results support the field use of BIA for estimating changes in fat mass as it is simple to use, requires minimal training and is used across a spectrum of ages, body weights, and disease states.Scripta Scientifica Medica 2008; 40(2): 187-191