A Comparison of Methods for Estimating Human Body Composition.

摘要

A comparison of three independent techniques to estimate body fat and water in a total population of 233 male soldiers and 36 WAC's was accomplished using 3 techniques involving independent body compartment parameters. Body density and fat were estimated from body volume by water displacement; whole-body burdens of potassium (K40) were measured by a sodium iodide crystal shadow shield counter, and total-body water was obtained by analysis from the dilution of orally ingested deuterium oxide (D2O) in body fluids. Although significant differences in absolute magnitudes of the estimates were found, the three techniques are highly correlated (i.e., relative magnitudes were similar across techniques). The choice of technique as concluded from this study is dependent on cost and mobility described since any of the three methods provide similar estimates.