bioelectrical impedance pros and cons

When using the bioelectrical impedance analyzer, the measurement should be done on an empty stomach. Epub 2017 Jan 12. Despite being popular in many commercial gyms and within epidemiological research on group body composition, BIA does not appear to provide a valid single- or repeated-measure of body composition for athletes. There are different types of BIA devices, but each requires two contact points. 4, pp. The mean coefficient of variation for within-day, intra-individual measurements, has ranged from 0.3% to 2.8%, with daily or weekly variability ranging from 0.9% to 3.6%, respectively [2, 17]. Body mass index (BMI) uses a persons height and weight to get a general idea of whether their weight is likely to affect their health. Similarly, hand-held instruments may only assess body composition of the upper extremities. 417-424, 1986. Eur J Clin Nutr. Careers. You may own it personally and you will come across these machines at gyms and clinics. In this article, we provide information on how body fat scales work and whether they give an accurate estimate of a persons body fat percentage (BFP). The Bod Pod uses the weight and volume values to calculate the persons body density. According to doctors, they typically overestimate or underestimate BFP by a large amount. 74-78, 2005. Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 vs Ticwatch Pro 3 Ultra GPS: Streamlined power 56, pp. BIA is an alternative to more invasive and expensive methods like dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, computerized tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging. Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis for the Assessment of Sarcopenia in Download PDF. Similar to hand-held methods, leg-to-leg BIA involves an individual standing on scales with four electrodes situated at each footplate, with a low-level current passed through the lower-body. Because lean tissue conducts electricity better than fat tissue, the resistance will be higher in a person with a higher body fat percentage. ), The ability of BIA to accurately detect changes in athletes body composition over a period of time. Bioelectrical impedance analysis; Body composition; Elderly; Prediction equations. HHS Vulnerability Disclosure, Help As such, higher resistance values tend to result in calculations of a greater percentage of body fat. Saunders et al., [18] showed that BIA was not a suitable method of body composition assessment in athletes with abnormal hydration status (e.g. Adah is an occupational therapist, working in the area of pediatrics with elementary students with special needs in the schools. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. There are a limited amount of comparisons between BIA and the reference four-compartment model in athletic populations. 25, no. It is important to note that this analysis utilised DEXA as the reference method, which may also lead to further error, as eluded to earlier in this review (read my article on the use of DEXA scanning for body composition assessment HERE). It's also wise to understand that there is more to health than your body fat percentage or weight, and these scales are only a tool, not a reflection of your general wellness. Disclaimer. hypohydrated), indicating that even small changes in fluid balance that occur with endurance training may be interpreted as change in body fat content. A. Sedensky, Bioelectrical impedance during renal dialysis, Nephrology Dialysis Transportation, vol. We rely on the most current and reputable sources, which are cited in the text and listed at the bottom of each article. The entire procedure is done in under 30 minutes and afterward, you can return to your normal daily activities. Body fat (adipose tissue) causes greater resistance (impedance) than lean mass and slows the rate at which the current travels. 38-43, 2004. The most accurate readings were off by about 21%, while the least accurate were off by about 34%. Introduction . Read our, Non-Essential Body Fat and How to Reduce It, The 9 Best Bathroom Scales of 2023, Tested and Reviewed, 10 Best Smart Scales, Tested and Recommended by Our Experts, The 8 Best Garmin Running Watches For All Types of Runners, Body Composition: What It Is and Why It Matters, How to Measure Body Fat With Hydrostatic Underwater Weighing. BMI has become a standard health assessment tool in my radiation oncology office and many healthcare facilities. Deurenberg, J. Since your muscles contain mostly water, they have less resistance to this electrical current. This suggests that BIA may provide data that is not sufficiently accurate for determination of individual body composition. due to their variation in water content, the small electrical current passes through the tissues at different speeds. By Malia Frey, M.A., ACE-CHC, CPT Advances in Nutrition. Accessibility Fat mass is then calculated as the difference between fat-free mass and body mass. P. Clarys, A. D. Martin and D. T. Drinkwater, Gross tissue masses in adult humans- data from 25 dissections, Human Biology, vol. Bookshelf Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. Sun et al., [8] stated that BIA is a suitable alternative for estimating body fat percentages when subjects are within a normal body fat range, however, there is a tendency for BIA to overestimate body fat in lean subjects and underestimate body fat in obese individuals. Not invasive. It's usually recommended to combine it with other methods to get a more accurate assessment of body composition. And some offer segmental fat analysis, meaning you can get body fat measurements for each leg, arm, and belly. Her work as an occupational therapist includes: home health, acute care, chronic care, seating and positioning, outpatient rehab, and skilled nursing rehab. R. Esco, M. S. Olson, H. N. Williford, S. N. Lizana and A. R. Russell, The accuracy of hand to hand bioelectrical impedance analysis in predicting body composition in college-age female athletes, Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, vol. Hall, Body composition assessment of athletes using bioelectrical impedance measurements, Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, pp. 2015;55(1-2):68-75. 199-209, 1992. For example, an athlete may be singled-out for interventions to reduce their body fat based on their BIA assessment and normative values, yet other methods may suggest that their body composition is optimal. The primary issues with BIA are: Sensor Placement Overview of BIA Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis The authors subsequently developed a novel prediction equation to estimate fat mass from the same Tanita bioimpedance analyser, with the four-compartment method as reference. 83, pp. However, studies that validate the accuracy of BIA exclusively in post-menopausal women are lacking. It usually involves the placement of two electrical sources on the feet and hand's dorsal surface. Is InBody a bioelectrical impedance? - Studybuff Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is a simple, inexpensive, quick and non-invasive technique for measuring body composition. In addition, other factors may affect a reading when you use a BIA scale. Like bioelectrical impedance, hydrostatic weighing depends on formulas which aren't quite as perfect as we'd like them to be. Plug in your weight in pounds and your height in inches. Comparison of single- or multifrequency bioelectrical impedance How do you do a bioelectrical impedance test? - Studybuff Hydrostatic underwater weighing (HUW) calculates a persons body density and body volume to estimate their body composition. Is bioelectrical impedance accurate for use in large epidemiological Deurenberg, J. Body Mass Index (BMI): Pros and Cons - understandcancerin60minutes According to Willett and co-workers (2006) BIA or bioelectrical impedance analysis involves passing a weak current across the extremities (hands and feet) to measure body composition. Sun, C. R. French, G. R. Martin, B. Younghusband, R. C. Green, Y. Xie, M. Matthews, J. R. Barron, D. G. Fitzpatrick, W. Gulliver and H. Zhang, Comparison of multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analysis with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry for assessment of percentage body fat in a large, healthy population, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, vol. April 27, 2023 healthy, percentage, wallpaper, healthy, percentage, wallpaper, 19, no. Hydrostatic Body Fat Testing: Is it Accurate? | DexaFit Based on that rate, a calculation is used to estimate fat-free mass. Methodological limitations of BIA may affect the ability of the method to accurately determine body composition. By Charlie BeestoneMay 20th, 2018 | 16 min read. Body Composition Testing | Science for Sport Understanding how much fat and muscle make up the body can be an important tool for people looking to track their overall health. Consider the accuracy of height and weight measurements : Nursing2022 - LWW Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is a relatively simple, quick and non-invasive technique, to measure body composition. This article also covers how to calculate the ideal body fat, There are various ways to measure the percentage of body fat, and some are more high tech than others. 331-340, 2003. This study aimed to evaluate the reproducibility of three BIA instruments in . 2017;29:591-7. Read More Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone. However, these methods can also lead to error, as hydrostatic weighing has been shown to lead to individual error rates of 6% [6]. 2022 Dec 24;22(1):997. doi: 10.1186/s12877-022-03704-1. The body mass index is supposed to help you determine whether you are falling in the "average" range for body fat, if you are extremely low in body fat or if you are obese or in danger of being obese. The lack of a validated equation for this population, combined with the large individual error reported in overweight and obese populations, suggest that BIA does not provide accurate body composition data for both single-measure and repeated measures. Bioelectrical impedance (BI) is a method of measuring body composition that uses a small electrical current to assess the relative amounts of lean tissue (muscle, bone, and organs) and fat tissue in the body. The clinical benefit of BIA can be further enhanced by combining it with bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA). A low-level electrical current is passed through the body, and the resistance (impedance) to the current is measured. 3, pp. Different tissues in your body allow the electrical current to travel at individual speeds. The accuracy of caliper measurements depends on the experience of the person using them. Scientists use genetic rewiring to increase lifespan of cells, Beyond amyloid and tau: New targets in developing dementia treatments, Napping longer than 30 minutes linked to higher risk of obesity and high blood pressure, Activity 'snacks' could lower blood sugar, complication risk in type 1 diabetes, Body fat percentage charts for men and women, Daniel Bubnis, M.S., NASM-CPT, NASE Level II-CSS, When and how to measure weight accurately at home, Courtney Sullivan, Certified Yoga Instructor. 2022 Dec 9;101(49):e32229. Because many BIA scales offer several features for a reasonable cost and are a quick and easy way to estimate body fat percent, body fat scales that use bioelectrical impedance analysis are a worthwhile investment for consumers who are curious about their body composition. Deurenberg P. Limitation of the bioelectrical impedance . muscle, fat, bone, etc.) A. Jebb, T. J. Cole, D. Doman, P. R. Murgatroyd and A. M. Prentice, Evaluation of the novel Tanita body-fat analyser to measure body composition by comparison with a four-compartment model, British Journal of Nutrition, vol. Also, as long as the scales are consistent in their measurements even if these are inaccurate they can help the person roughly track the effectiveness of their exercise regimen or diet over time. Portable (lightweight equipment). PROS: 1. BMI also does not take into account a persons muscle mass. The scan uses two X-ray beams that scan the body for between 10-20 minutes. The reliability of BIA (the reproducibility of the observed value when the measurement is repeated) is also important to determine single-measurement precision, as well as the ability to track changes over time. Aging Clin Exp Res. BIA is able to make an estimation of body composition (e.g. In large epidemiologic . Measurement lean body mass using bioelectrical impedance analysis According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), BMI is a good tool for screening whether a person is underweight or overweight. A person can use several different methods to estimate their BFP. Background: Bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA) is commonly used in research to assess body composition. sharing sensitive information, make sure youre on a federal Adverse maternal body composition has been linked to pregnancy complications including gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). 2004 Oct;23(5):1226-43. doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2004.06.004. Different types of BIA analysers are available, such as hand-held and leg-to-leg devices. However, hydration of fat-free mass has been shown to rise to over 77% with increased levels of body fat [22]. Sarcopenia using pectoralis muscle area and lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) are independent prognostic factors in patients for nonmetastatic breast cancer. In bioelectrical impedance assessment a small alternating current (20 to 100 A, frequency ranging from 5 kHz to 200 kHz) is applied to the body and conducted by water and dissolved electrolytes in the body. Pros, Cons, and Perspectives Download PDF. Most scales measure an estimate of your total fat, muscle, water, and bone in weight and percentage. Video 1. This method may be of benefit in a field setting, due to its convenience. Table 1. Body fat scales use bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) to estimate the relative percentages of different tissues and substances within the body. Some researchers also say that ethnicity can affect the accuracy of BIA measurements. Body fat scales are not very accurate at estimating a persons body fat percentage. 1.4: Body Composition and Obesity - Medicine LibreTexts It is also important to understand the reference assessment method used to validate these equations. 81, pp. Reproducibility of Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis in - Hindawi Bethesda, MD 20894, Web Policies Gagnon C, Mnard J, Bourbonnais A, et al. It can be used in a variety of settings, including hospitals, fitness centers, and research studies. 266-271, 1990. R. Moon, Body composition in athletes and sports nutrition: an examination of the bioimpedance analysis technique, European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, vol. If either value is higher than average, a person should see their doctor. So there are pros and cons to any method. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is a rapid and noninvasive method of body composition analysis; however, reproducibility between BIA instruments in pregnancy is uncertain. and transmitted securely. official website and that any information you provide is encrypted Comparing Body Composition Assessments - NCSF The above values make it possible to determine the persons body composition, including their BFP, based on the principle that fat is less dense than muscle. Reliability and validity of bioelectrical impedance in determining body A. Weststrate, I. Paymans and K. Van Der Kooy, Factors affecting bioelectical impedance measurements in humans, European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, vol. Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) determines body composition by running small electrical currents through the body. What makes it unique is that it costs only $1395, making it a viable 3D body scanner for personal and home use. Can diet help improve depression symptoms? Pros & cons of body composition measurement tools - M Reed Nutrition 2004 Dec;23(6):1371-80. doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2004.05.005. It is important that these equations are validated using a total-body, water-based, four-compartment method, in an attempt to minimise the measurement error that is found when equations are based on the two-compartment model; such as hydrostatic weighing. Fat mass was underestimated by 1.6kg, whereas fat-free mass was overestimated by 1.8kg. Body Mass Index (BMI): Pros and cons. 2021;12(5):1854-1862. doi:10.1093/advances/nmab016. 2023 Jan 6;10:1056123. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.1056123. This is possible simply because different bodily tissues (e.g. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA): beyond BMI - Medical Device Network Display. greater muscle mass, leaner, etc. 15, pp. 1040-1045, 2011. BMI can also help your physician gauge your general risk of obesity-related diseases, though BMI is best used in combination with other measurements to get a more complete look at your health. Verywell Fit articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and nutrition and exercise healthcare professionals. BMI: The Pros And Cons - Ralph Roberts Personal Trainer Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. A weak electrical current is run through the body to identify the speed of conductivity based on total water in the body which correlates to body fat percentage. Typically, the most expensive options provide the most accurate estimates. A 2016 study found that the BIA method of measuring body composition is accurate when using standard, published mathematical formulas. PROS. All rights reserved. Exercise can help a person lose fat and gain muscle. F. Kushner and D. A. Schoeller, Estimation of total body water in bioelectrical impedance analysis, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, vol. 45, p. 865, 1987. If you have eaten before the measurement, the measurement should be performed at least 2 hours apart. Bioelectrical impedance analysis Inexpensive equipment. Materials and Methods 42, pp. A further study on obese populations [13] showed that individual disagreement in body fat measurement between BIA and the four-compartment model was high. Hand-to-foot BIA uses electrodes in a mounted foot-plate, as well as electrodes in hand grips, to determine whole body measurements. There are factors that BMI does not reflect, such as muscle mass. P. Deurenberg, M. Deurenberg-Yap, in Food for the Ageing Population, 2009 9.4.2 Bioelectrical impedance. In contrast, bone and adipose tissue are dielectric substances and are poor conductors [4]. Medicine (Baltimore). This study was designed to examine the reliability and validity of the bioelectrical impedance method (BIA) of measuring body composition and compare its accuracy with the results obtained by standard anthropometric methods BIA, skinfold fat, and hydrostatically measured percent fat (% fat) were obtained on 44 women and 24 men. It measures body fat in relation to lean body mass and is said to be more accurate than BMI testing. The Pros and Cons of DXA-What Are the Alternatives? - Rheumatology Network Lemieux, D. Prudhomme, C. Bouchard, A. Tremblay and J. P. Despres, Sex differences in the relation of visceral adipose tissue accumulation to total body fatness., American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, vol. He has previously supported athletes in a variety of sports including canoeing, boxing, cricket, rugby league, Olympic weightlifting and strongwoman. One study looked at the accuracy of weight and height estimation by ICU nurses and physicians. Inexpensive: BI devices are relatively inexpensive and can be used multiple times. Nyboer and J. Concordance between muscle mass assessed by bioelectrical impedance analysis and by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry: a cross-sectional study. Fitbit vs. Apple Watch: Which Fitness Tracker is Better? Consequently, it is important that the correct equation is used for the population measured to ensure that any results are valid.