The current study aimed to compare the estimates of body fat percentage bf by performing bioelectrical impedance analysis bia and dual energy x ray absorptiometry dxa in a sample of obese or overweight chinese adults who participated in a weight loss randomized control trial stratified by gender to determine whether or not bia is a valid measurement tool. Since fat loss is the goal when people set out to lose weight and muscle gain is the goal when people set out to gain weight the nutritionists of healthy directions monitor body composition changes fat weight vs. Quantities of fat mass and fat free mass by running a small electrical current through the body. Bioelectrical impedance bia bia is one of the quickest and easiest methods for predicting body fat. Bioelectrical impedance analysis bia is a commonly used method for estimating body composition in particular body fat and muscle massin bia a weak electric current flows through the body and the voltage is measured in order to calculate impedance resistance of the body. Few of the most commonly used techniques include bia adp hwd dexa and skinfold caliper.
In part 2 you learned about underwater weighing and in part 3 you learned about the bod pod. Focusing on body fat percentage instead of weight is much more useful to track fat loss progress. Here are the 10 best ways to measure your body fat percentage. Bioelectrical impedance analysis bia is able to make an estimation of body composition eg. They run a light electrical current through your body measure the degree of resistance or impedance to the flow of the current then use this information to estimate your body fat percentage 2. The market comprises of products that can be classified on the basis of different methods of body fat measurement and body composition analysis.
The impedance index is obtained by applying a small alternating current on the body based on the principle that the body contains water and that the level of electric resistivity ie resistance changes according to the amount of water in the body. Muscle fat bone etc all have varying amounts of water content and as a result they all differ in terms of electrical conductivity. Bia also provides a measurement of fluid and body mass that can be a critical assessment tool for your current state of health. However the convienience of this method comes at a price of accuracy. Lean fat free weight rather than monitor people. Now lets talk about bia.
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. Most body water is stored in muscle. This is possible simply because different bodily tissues eg. In the late 1980s the bia method was a single frequency whole body impedance measurement. Body fat percentage scales use a method known as bioelectrical impedance bia to estimate your body composition. In part 1 of this series you learned about how body fat testing is a prediction not a measurement.
Few other nominally used techniques are interactance and body composition analysis using ct and mri scans.