Review articleBody composition: Assessment and clinical valueComposición corporal: estudio y utilidad clínica☆
Introduction
Analysis of body composition is an essential part of the assessment of nutritional status. In order to define body composition, it is convenient to remember that Wang et al.1 defined it as the branch of human biology dealing with the in vivo quantification of body components, quantitative relations between components, and quantitative changes in components related to influencing factors.
On the other hand, according to Valtueña et al.,2 the study of body composition is indispensable for understanding the effects of diet, physical exercise, disease and physical growth, among other environmental factors, on our body.
Section snippets
Body composition models
The adequate analysis of body composition requires the delimitation of body composition as a function of its different components, resulting in different body compositions or compartmental models. Thus, Behnke3 proposed a model for analyzing body composition based on the application of the Archimedes principle, in which body weight was represented by two main components, fat mass and fat-free mass. From this bicompartmental model, Keys and Brozek4 developed a new one. These authors divided the
Two-component or bicompartmental model
The two-component or bicompartmental model is the most commonly used to analyze body composition in humans. This model assumes the division of body components into two compartments, total fat mass and fat-free mass, that is, the consideration of the two compartments at the molecular level.10 According to this model, the chemical characteristics and density of both compartments remain constant, with density for total fat mass being 0.9007 g/mL at a temperature of 36 °C.11 According to this model,
Anthropometrics as a method to assess body composition
A wide range of procedures are available for adequately measuring the body composition of subjects. According to González-Jiménez,20 the specificity of such procedures varies. While some of them allow us to assess the composition of a single body sector, others allow us to know the characteristics and constitution of more than one organic component. By taking these measurements, and subsequently using multiple regression equations, it is possible to infer the composition and proportions of the
Skinfolds
The quantification of body fat volume by measuring skinfolds is a highly useful method to test body composition. Because of its methodological simplicity, low cost, and non-invasive nature, it is widely used in both the clinical and epidemiological settings.23
It is a very helpful procedure for assessing the body composition of a subject. Since 27–42% of total body fat is confined to the subcutaneous level, the thickness of the subcutaneous fatty layer will optimally reflect the body composition
Conclusions
Excess body fat is related to cardiovascular problems such as atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, diabetes, dyslipidemia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and osteoarthritis. It is therefore essential that healthcare professionals (both nurses and physicians) are trained and updated on the use of these procedures. The early detection and diagnosis of severe conditions such as obesity and their impact on health, particularly in the younger population, depends to a certain extent on the
Conflicts of interest
The author states that he has no conflicts of interest.
References (51)
- et al.
The five level method: a new approach to organizing body-composition research
Am J Clin Nutr
(1992) - et al.
Body composition and fat distribution among older Jat females: a rural–urban comparison
Homo
(2011) - et al.
Association between adiposity and cardiovascular risk factors in prepubertal children
Endocrinol Nutr
(2011) - et al.
Assessment of intra-abdominal and subcutaneous abdominal fat: relation between anthropometry and computed tomography
Am J Clin Nutr
(1987) - et al.
Estado actual de los métodos de evaluación de la composición corporal: descripción, reproductibilidad, precisión, ámbitos de aplicación, seguridad, coste y perspectivas de futuro
Med Clin (Barc)
(1996) - et al.
The specific gravity of healthy men
JAMA
(1942) - et al.
Body composition in adult man
Physiol Rev
(1953) The testing of physical efficiency
Am J Phys Anthropol
(1921)- et al.
Astratagem for proporcional growth assessment. Children and exercise
Acta Paediatr Belg
(1974) - et al.
Validation by cadaver dissection of Matiegka's equations for the anthropometric estimation of anatomical body composition in adults humans
Body composition of top performance athletes determined by a modification of Kerr's method
Med Sci Sports Exerc
Body composition measures of obese adolescents by the deuterium oxide dilution method and by bioelectrical impedance
Braz J Med Biol Res
Relationships between anthropometric, body composition and bone mineral parameters in 7–8-year-old rhythmic gymnasts compared with controls
Coll Antropol
Gender differences in relationship between fat-free mass index and fat mass index among Korean children using body composition chart
Yonsei Med J
Central adiposity in children born small and large for gestational age
Nutr Hosp
Body fat regulation: is it a result of a simple energy balance or a high fat intake?
J Am Coll Nutr
Prediction of body fat skinfold callipers: assumptions and cadaver evidence
Int J Obes
Association of total body and visceral fat mass with iron deficiency in preadolescents: the Healthy Growth Study
Br J Nutr
Visceral fat cell lipolysis and cardiovascular risk factors in obesity
Horm Metab Res
Fat-free mass hydration in newborns: assessment and implications for body composition studies
Acta Paediatr
Prevalencia de sobrepeso y obesidad nutricional e hipertensión arterial y su relación con indicadores antropométricos en una población de escolares de Granada y su provincia
Nutr Hosp
Metodología del estudio Guadix sobre los efectos de un desayuno de tipo mediterráneo sobre los parámetros lipídicos y postprandiales en preadolescentes con sobrepeso y obesidad
Nutr Hosp
Anthropometry and body composition of female handball players according to competitive level or the playing position
J Sports Sci
Cited by (0)
- ☆
Please cite this article as: González Jiménez E. Composición corporal: estudio y utilidad clínica. Endocrinol Nutr. 2013;60:69–75.