Body composition: what's new?
OBJECTIVE
Body mass index has been shown to be an imprecise measurement of fat-free and fat mass, and provides no information if weight changes occur as a result of a decrease in fat-free mass or an increase in fat mass.


RESULTS
Non-invasive body composition methods (i.e. bioelectrical impedance analysis, air displacement plethysmography) can now be used to monitor fat-free and fat mass with weight gain and loss, and during aging. This review discusses body composition measurements in terms of ethnic differences, physical activity, and age, and the limitations of bedside techniques in obesity and abnormal hydration status.


CONCLUSIONS
An assessment of the fat-free and fat mass provides valuable information about changes in body composition with weight gain or loss and physical activity, and during aging. Non-invasive bedside techniques can now be used to evaluate the nutritional status of healthy and ill individuals.
Kyle
Ursula G
UG
Clinical Nutrition, Geneva University Hospital, 1211 Geneva 14, Switzerland.
Genton
Laurence
L
Pichard
Claude
C
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000502:physiology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001823:Body Composition / Q000502:physiology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged