Body Composition Analysis

Health and Wellness » Weight Management » Body Composition Analysis

To measure the proportion of different components of a person’s body, the physical test performed is called body composition analysis. Human body contains proteins, minerals, water and fat. However, it is necessary to know the fat level compared to lean mass. To know this level, such tests are performed. It calculates the fat ratio to the lean tissue.

Why Body Composition Analysis?

Excess body weight can harm your body in many ways. Irrespective of total weight, if lean and fat proportions are more than the limit, then there are high chances of suffering from many health problems. These health problems are related with being overweight. The analysis helps to know-

  • High cholesterol levels
  • Arteriosclerosis
  • Kidney disorders and more
  • High blood pressure
  • Respiratory problems
  • Coronary disease

Known Body Composition Analyzer

  • SC-240 Body Composition Analyzer: This product is easy to handle, light in weight and portable. It is said to be high capacity body composition monitor. There is no age limit to use it. It has the feature to be used by all ages, ranging with 440lb capacity of weight. It calculates the body weight and body water in percentage. Other than the BMI calculator, it is clinically approved and gives accurate results. You can see the results on a large LCD display. The product also highlights the loss in weight.
  • Bio-Space Body Composition Analyzers: This precision analysis is mostly used at professional settings because of its accuracy level and reproducibility.

Applications Included

  • Nephrology
  • Obesity management - dietetics & nutrition, Bariatric surgery
  • Orthopedics / Rehabilitation, sports injuries and stroke
  • Endocrinology and Diabetes management

Health and Fitness

  • Individualized fitness program
  • GP referral schemes to quantify changes over time
  • Sports Medicine - injuries and rehabilitation
  • Schools - growth and development, diet and nutrition

Methods of Body Composition Analysis

Body fat has physical and chemical properties which can be known by many analytical methods. These methods have some advantages and disadvantages. One of the common methods used is BMI. Other than this, bioelectrical impedance and hydrostatic weighing are also used.

  • Bioelectrical Impedance: Bioelectrical Impedance helps to assess the body fat in percentage. In the market, you will find many body fat analyzers and scales which are available at affordable prices. You can use such device at homes also. It calculates more than the total weight measurement. It helps to determine the body weight, amount of body fat, water content, muscle mass and bone mass.
  • BMI: This method is well known, common and cheap form of body composition analysis. This method is usually used by insurance companies, doctors, fitness centers, etc. It calculates the body composition mathematically by comparing height and weight by one of the formulas:
    1. BMI = weight in kg / height2 in meters
    2. BMI = weight in lbs * 703 / height in inches2

    Using these formulas, the BMI measurement is considered to be in between 19 and 21. It indicates high number as overweight and lower number as underweight. This method has a disadvantage which is the body composition of a person is not taken into account while measuring the BMI. It can be wrong for athletic children, but can show good calculation for general population.

  • Hydrostatic Weighing: Other than BMI and bioelectrical impedance, hydrostatic weighing is also one method. In this method, a person is weighed in submerged water tank. It determines the body composition on Archimedes' Principle of displacement which shows:
    1. Lean tissue is more dense compared to water
    2. The fat mass density and fat free mass are same

Body composition analysis is a good way to maintain body weight and thus, improve your health. Consult your doctor to know more about it.