BODY-COMPOSITION MEASUREMENT - A REVIEW OF HYDRODENSITOMETRY, ANTHROPOMETRY, AND IMPEDANCE METHODS

Human body composition is an expression of genetic and nutritional fac tors. It can change as a consequence of exogenous influences such as t raining, disease, or diet and is therefore of particular interest to n utrition professionals. Two of the main methods of estimating body com position in this review (hydrodensitometry and anthropometry) have bee n in use for decades, but the third method (bioelectrical impedance) i s more recent. The procedure, theoretical basis, assumptions, standard error of estimates, and comparisons with other techniques are present ed for each of the three methods. References to general and specific p opulations are presented that illustrate regression equations for diff erent ages, ethnic groups, and gender. The advantages and disadvantage s of the three methods are reviewed with reference made to the alterna tive compartment models. Other methods (DEXA, infrared interactance) a re briefly reviewed. (C) Elsevier Science Inc. 1998.