The Effect Of Underclothing On Percent Body Fat Measurements Made With The Bod Pod

Abstract

0491 It is recommended that individuals wear only a swimsuit when being measured in the BOD POD. Previous research has reported that other types of clothing can result in significant differences in body fat estimates. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of underclothing worn during measurements of body volume made with the BOD POD. METHODS: Forty subjects (15 men, 25 women) of varying ages (18–87 yrs.), and body mass indices (20.2–47.0 kg.m-2) were tested under standardized conditions. All subjects were measured twice while wearing the clothing recommended by the manufacturer (i.e. tight fitting swimsuit [SS] made of lycra material) and twice while wearing 100% cotton briefs [CB] underneath the swimsuit. The order of clothing worn was randomized. RESULTS: There were no significant (p<0.05) differences in percent body fat measurements within or between the two clothing conditions (SS1 = 27.1 + 2.1%, SS2 = 27.2 + 2.1%, CB1 = 26.9 + 2.1%, CB2 = 27.0 + 2.0%). However, there was slightly more variability between repeated measures wearing CB (n = 18 less than 1%, n = 17 1–2%, n = 5 greater than 2%) versus while wearing only SS (n = 27 less than 1%, n = 8 1–2%, n = 5 greater than 2%). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that wearing 100% cotton briefs underneath a swimsuit would be an acceptable procedure for fitness laboratories. However, it may be prudent to perform at least two measurements to account for the possibility of increased variability in the measurements.