Assessment of body composition change in a community-based weight management program.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to validate the use of the leg-to-leg bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) system in assessing change in body composition over 32 weeks in overweight and obese women participating in a community weight management program.


METHODS
Intervention, with subjects prescribed an energy-restriction diet and exercise program for 32 weeks and body composition measured pre-study and after 12 and 32 weeks.


METHODS
Overweight and obese premenopausal women (n=201) with no overt disease were recruited at six sites into community-based weight loss programs. One hundred and twenty-four women completed all aspects of the study.


METHODS
Energy intake was set at 0.8 x resting metabolic rate (RMR) for weeks 1 through 12, 1.0 x RMR for weeks 13 through 20 and 1.2 x RMR for weeks 21 through 32. Energy intake was based on a food exchange table, with the number of food exchanges adjusted to encourage a percent distribution of 55% carbohydrate, 30% fat and 15% protein. Subjects increased their daily walking distance by 3.2 km above pre-study levels.


METHODS
Underwater weighing, seven skinfolds, and leg-to-leg BIA tests were used to assess body composition.


RESULTS
A 3 x 3 repeated measures ANOVA revealed no significant difference in detecting change in FFM at 12 and 32 weeks among underwater weighing, BIA and skinfold, (F(4,492)=1.73, p=0.141) (decrease in FFM of 1.0+/-3.3 kg, 1.7+/-2.2 kg, and 1.4+/-3.3 kg respectively, 32 weeks).


CONCLUSIONS
The leg-to-leg BIA system provides a valid measure of body composition change in overweight premenopausal women during a 32-week community-based weight loss program.
Powell
L A
LA
Department of Health and Exercise Science, Appalachian State University, Boone, North Carolina 28608, USA.
Nieman
D C
DC
Melby
C
C
Cureton
K
K
Schmidt
D
D
Howley
E T
ET
Hill
J O
JO
Mault
J R
JR
Alexander
H
H
Stewart
D J
DJ
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000502:physiology*; D000328:Adult; D001823:Body Composition; D001824:Body Constitution; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004038:Diet, Reducing; D017097:Electric Impedance; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008722:Methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D017697:Premenopause; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012885:Skinfold Thickness; D016138:Walking