Abstract
Identifying portable methods to measure body composition may be more advantageous than using body mass index (BMI) to categorize associated health consequences. Purpose: To compare the validity and reliability of a portable A-mode ultrasound (US) to a criterion three compartment model (3C) for the measurement of body composition. Methods: Forty-seven overweight and obese subjects participated in this study. Body composition was measured once via air displacement plethysmography for body density (Bd) and bioelectrical impedance spectroscopy for total body water (TBW) for the 3C calculations. Ultrasound measurements (BodyMetrix, Intelametrix) were made using an A mode, 2.5- MHz transmitter. All measurements were made on the right side of the body at 7 skinfold sites. The US software calculated percent body fat (%BF), fat mass (FM) and fat free mass (FFM) from the 7-site Jackson and Pollock equation. Results: %BF and FM, respectively, measured by the US (29.1±6.5%; 27.4±8.1 kg) was significantly lower compared to the 3C model (33.7±7.6%; 31.8±9.8 kg; p<0.0005). Fat free mass was significantly higher for the US (66.7±13.0 kg) compared to the 3C model (62.3±12.6; p = 0.001). The US demonstrated respectable reliability for %BF, FM, and FFM with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) ranging from 0.84–0.98 and standard error of the measurement (SEM) values and 2.2%BF, 1.9 kg, 1.9 kg, respectively. Discussion: The US was found to under predict %BF and FM with large deviations from the criterion (n = 10>4%BF error). While the US was not valid in this population, it was reliable producing results with minimal error, suggesting this technique may be effective for tracking changes in a weight loss or clinical setting.
Highlights
Obesity-related health complications have received increased federal attention due to the rising occurrence and associated medical costs
All subjects used in the statistical analysis met the inclusion criteria: subjects were between the ages of 18 and 55 years and had a body mass index (BMI) between 25 and 50 kg?m2
Validity All body composition variables measured from the US were significantly different compared to the 3C criterion model; %BF (P = 0.001); fat mass (FM) (P = 0.001); fat free mass (FFM) (P = 0.001) (Table 2)
Summary
Obesity-related health complications have received increased federal attention due to the rising occurrence and associated medical costs. Combined medical costs associated with obesity-related diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke and cancer will increase by $48–66 billion per year in the U.S [3]. An appropriate classification of body composition, fat distribution, may allow for an improved evaluation of an individual’s overall health status [4,5]. Clinical settings, such as doctors’ offices and weight loss facilities, may benefit from utilizing accurate field based measurements of percent body fat (%BF) in order to track weight changes over time, and to more effectively identify health risks
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