A Simple, Inexpensive and Portable Model for Teaching Human Body Composition to Undergraduate Health Science Students

Abstract

The study of human body composition has several dimensions. This includes medical, anthropological, physical activity performance and aesthetic aspects. Understanding, in particular, of human body composition is very essential to medical and allied health science students. But, the teaching of this aspect to them is given little or no importance at the entry level in most situations. Body composition at two or three compartment levels that include body fat and fat free mass is adequate and appropriate for such students for a good understanding and clinical application. The teaching of this area of human body composition can be made easier, interesting and appealing by making use of a simple and economical physical model. Designing, constructing and use of such a model is presented in this communication.