Nutrition
Volume 23, Issue 9 , Pages 657-664, September 2007

Validation of a three-frequency bioimpedance spectroscopic method for body composition analysis

  • Leigh C. Ward, B.Sc. (Hons), Ph.D.

      Affiliations

    • School of Molecular and Microbial Science, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Brisbane, Australia
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Tel.: +61-7-3365-4633; fax: +61-7-3365-4699.
    • ,
  • Julia M. Dyer, B.Sc. (Hons)

      Affiliations

    • School of Molecular and Microbial Science, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Brisbane, Australia
    • ,
  • Nuala M. Byrne, B.H.M.S., M.AppSc., Ph.D.

      Affiliations

    • Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, ATN Centre for Metabolic Fitness, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Brisbane, Australia
    • ,
  • Kendall K. Sharpe, B.Sc. (Hons)

      Affiliations

    • School of Molecular and Microbial Science, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Brisbane, Australia
    • ,
  • Andrew P. Hills, M.Sc., Ph.D., F.A.S.M.F.

      Affiliations

    • Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, ATN Centre for Metabolic Fitness, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Brisbane, Australia

Received 23 January 2007; accepted 14 June 2007.

Abstract 

Objective

We assessed whether whole-body multiple frequency impedance (MFBIA) data obtained at a few discrete frequencies could be used to estimate accurately resistance at 0 (R0) and infinite (R∞) frequencies required for prediction of body composition by mixture theory.

Methods

Fat-free mass (FFM) was measured in 157 subjects (77 males, 80 females; body mass index [BMI] 17.8–41.7 kg/m2) by dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Whole-body impedance was measured and R0 and R∞ were calculated by three different methods. FFM predicted using the different values of R0 and R∞ were compared with each other and with the reference DXA values for all subjects stratified according to BMI band (BMI <24.9 kg/m2, normal weight; BMI 25–29.9 kg/m2, overweight; BMI >30 kg/m2, obese).

Results

All BIA procedures predicted an FFM that was slightly but significantly different from DXA-derived values, underestimating by 0.24 to 1.4 kg in the normal-weight subjects and overestimating by 5.3 to 7.1 kg in the obese subjects. Although statistically significant, the different impedance procedures were highly correlated (r > 0.98), with small limits of agreement (approximately ±2%) when used to predict FFM. Predictive power was associated with BMI, worsening as BMI increased.

Conclusion

MFBIA can be used to estimate impedance parameters required for mixture theory prediction of body composition, but this approach requires adjustment for BMI to be accurate.

Keywords: Impedance spectroscopy, Body composition, Fat-free mass

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 The financial support of Impedimed Ltd., Brisbane and Polar Electro Oy and Ab HUR Oy for financially supporting in part the original studies that contributed data to the database used in the present study is gratefully acknowledged.

PII: S0899-9007(07)00187-6

doi:10.1016/j.nut.2007.06.009

Nutrition
Volume 23, Issue 9 , Pages 657-664, September 2007

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