Response to Cummins and Finaret (2019)

We thank Joseph Cummins and Amelia Finaret for their interest in our article (Comandini et al., 2019) and their insightful comments, which allowed us to further discuss the issue of age imprecision in nutritional studies. In this response, we aim to stress some points that interfere with the analysis of the three major concerns highlighted by the authors

Instituting Sustainable Geriatric Care in Africa: The Roles of Sociocultural Constructs

The demographic shift in Africa is seeing more people make it to old age (60 years or over), a state associated with an increased risk of acquiring communicable and non-communicable diseases, and demand for specialised health care. With many African health systems still struggling with infectious diseases, inadequate funding, poor infrastructure and lack of skilled human resource for health, how best can they provide quality, sustainable geriatric care services to their ageing population? This commentary highlights “Africa’s social-cultural structure” as an opportunity health policy makers could tap into, to design patient-centred, sustainable, inexpensive, and socially acceptable geriatric interventions

Response to Cummins and Finaret (2019)

We thank Joseph Cummins and Amelia Finaret for their interest in our article (Comandini et al., 2019) and their insightful comments, which allowed us to further discuss the issue of age imprecision in nutritional studies. In this response, we aim to stress some points that interfere with the analysis of the three major concerns highlighted by the authors

The bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) international database: aims, scope, and call for data

BACKGROUND: Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is a technique widely used for estimating body composition and health-related parameters. The technology is relatively simple, quick, and non-invasive, and is currently used globally in diverse settings, including private clinicians' offices, sports and health clubs, and hospitals, and across a spectrum of age, body weight, and disease states. BIA parameters can be used to estimate body composition (fat, fat-free mass, total-body water and its compartments). Moreover, raw measurements including resistance, reactance, phase angle, and impedance vector length can also be used to track health-related markers, including hydration and malnutrition, and disease-prognostic, athletic and general health status. Body composition shows profound variability in association with age, sex, race and ethnicity, geographic ancestry, lifestyle, and health status. To advance understanding of this variability, we propose to develop a large and diverse multi-country dataset of BIA raw measures and derived body components. The aim of this paper is to describe the 'BIA International Database' project and encourage researchers to join the consortium. METHODS: The Exercise and Health Laboratory of the Faculty of Human Kinetics, University of Lisbon has agreed to host the database using an online portal. At present, the database contains 277,922 measures from individuals ranging from 11 months to 102 years, along with additional data on these participants. CONCLUSION: The BIA International Database represents a key resource for research on body composition

The bioelectrical impedance analysis [BIA] international database: aims, scope, and call for data

© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited 2023Background: Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is a technique widely used for estimating body composition and health-related parameters. The technology is relatively simple, quick, and non-invasive, and is currently used globally in diverse settings, including private clinicians' offices, sports and health clubs, and hospitals, and across a spectrum of age, body weight, and disease states. BIA parameters can be used to estimate body composition (fat, fat-free mass, total-body water and its compartments). Moreover, raw measurements including resistance, reactance, phase angle, and impedance vector length can also be used to track health-related markers, including hydration and malnutrition, and disease-prognostic, athletic and general health status. Body composition shows profound variability in association with age, sex, race and ethnicity, geographic ancestry, lifestyle, and health status. To advance understanding of this variability, we propose to develop a large and diverse multi-country dataset of BIA raw measures and derived body components. The aim of this paper is to describe the 'BIA International Database' project and encourage researchers to join the consortium. Methods: The Exercise and Health Laboratory of the Faculty of Human Kinetics, University of Lisbon has agreed to host the database using an online portal. At present, the database contains 277,922 measures from individuals ranging from 11 months to 102 years, along with additional data on these participants. Conclusion: The BIA International Database represents a key resource for research on body composition.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio