[Body composition assessment by anthropometry and bioelectrical impedance]

Abstract

Introduction: Anthropometry and electric impedance methods are widely used for body composition assessment. However the evidence is unclear whether the results obtained from the two methods can be compared.

Objective: Two methods are compared for assessment of body composition; anthropometry and electric impedance.

Materials and methods: Body composition was measured in 70 women; aged 22 to 56 and 53 men; aged 24 to 54, using anthropometry (Durning/Womersley and Jackson/Pollock skinfolds equations) and electric impedance (foot to foot electric impedance) to obtain percentage body fat.

Results: The mean percentage body fat was significant higher with Durning/Womersley (25.2%) than Jackson/Pollock (20.1%) and electric impedance (19.3%) for men (p<0.001). The mean percentage body fat was significant higher with Durning/Womersley (36.9%) than Jackson/Pollock (31.0%) and electric impedance (27.6%) for women (p<0.001). Correlation coefficient was high when two methods were compared (r>0.77) however, the concordance between methods to classify obesity subjects was low (K<0.5).

Conclusions: The percentages obtained from the anthropometry method were higher than the bioelectrical impedance method. A significant difference was found between methods applied in men and women, and therefore these methods are not comparable.