Hygiena 2012, 57(3):105-109

Comparison of Various Methods for Assessment of Body Fat

Marek Bužga1, Vladislava Zavadilová1, Jana Vlčková2, Zuzana Oleksiaková1, Vít Šmajstrla3, Hana Tomášková1, Zdeněk Jirák1, Jindra Kavková3
1 Ostravská univerzita v Ostravě, Lékařská fakulta, Ostrava
2 Vítkovická nemocnice, Oddělení rehabilitace, Ostrava
3 Nestátní zdravotnické zařízení Bormed, Denzitometrická laboratoř, Ostrava

Introduction: Body composition is an important indicator of male nutrition and health state and depends on a number of factors. Nutrition and physical activity are primary determinants of body composition aside from heredity and hormonal aspects. We can use different methods for assessment of body composition. If the various methods are used the results can differ widely.

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare selected methods for measurement of body fat and its distribution.

Methods: Body composition was assessed in a group of 57 overweight adults (21-67 years old). The following parameters were measured: body height, body weight, circumference of waist (between the 12th rib and crista illiaca), weight/height ratio (BMI). These methods were used for determination of body composition: skin fold thickness measurement by Parizkova, skin fold thickness measurement by Matiegka, bioelectrical impedance (BIA), dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Abdominal computer tomography (CT) at L4-L5 was used for total abdominal fat assessment in a group of 27 women.

Results: The results of these methods correlate very well. The best correlation was found with DXA and BIA methods (r = 0.929) and DXA and Parizkova method (r = 0.925). Worse correlation was found with DXA and Matiegka method (r = 0.870) for the total amount of body fat and body fat percentage. There were significant differences in body fat amount assessed by DXA and other methods (p < 0.001). The results for DXA and BIA methods were similar in the group of obese women (p = 0.684). BMI correlated with DXA, BIA, Parizkova, Matiegka and abdominal CT very well (r = 0.920-0.812). Good correlation was found between waist circumference and abdominal fat estimated by CT (r = 0.737).

Keywords: obesity diagnostics, bioelectrical impedance (BIA), dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), computed tomography (CT), caliperation

Received: November 2011; Accepted: May 9, 2012; Published: September 1, 2012  Show citation

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Bužga M, Zavadilová V, Vlčková J, Oleksiaková Z, Šmajstrla V, Tomášková H, et al.. Comparison of Various Methods for Assessment of Body Fat. Hygiena. 2012;57(3):105-109.
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