TOTAL-BODY FAT MASS BASED ON THE 4.4 MEV CARBON PEAK IN THE IN-VIVO PROMPT-GAMMA SPECTRUM OF THE HUMAN-BODY USING AM-241,BE NEUTRONS

The feasibility of measuring total body carbon (TBC) based on prompt-g amma activation analysis (PGAA) of the human body was examined. Prelim inary analyzes for 33 healthy pre-menopausal women indicated a range o f TBC values (7.1+/-4.4 kg) which translated to 17.1+/-6.5 kg body fat (27.9%+/-7.9% of body weight). An advantage of the PGAA measurement i s that fat mass can be obtained simultaneous with that of total body p rotein mass, both indices serving as useful body composition markers o f the nutritional status.