Bioelectrical impedance analysis

Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is a method for determining body composition. The determination of body fat is performed by passing a harmless electrical current through the body. The conductance is detected as the resistance of the body mass to the electrical current. The resistance is greatest in fat tissue, which has only 14 to 22% water, and the conductance is greatest in fat-free tissue. Through electrical conductance, a BIA meter can determine the total body water content and use various formulas to calculate lean body mass and fat mass after taking body mass, stature, sex, age, and sometimes race into consideration.63 64 When comparing the BIA to other methods of body composition, such as the hydrodensitometry and skinfold calipers, Pearson correlations for male and female body fat percentages were found to be high between the three methods, ranging from 0.81 to 0.86.


A tool used in the assessment of human body composition. Bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA) determines a person’s percentage of body fat. In this method, electrodes are placed on the foot and hand to measure the body’s resistance to electricity. The greater the resistance, the higher the percentage of body fat. Body fat measurements are useful because excess body fat puts people at a higher risk of health problems such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, and stroke. The accuracy of BIA depends on the state of hydration, the amount of fluid retained by cells. Dehydration causes an overestimation of body fat, while fluid retention (bloating) causes an underestimation.


A method of body composition analysis useful in measuring the total body water and other components. BIA relies on the changes in electrical current as it travels through body fluids and tissues. The results obtained may vary with ambient temperature and humidity, the subject’s hydration, and other variables.


This method of ascertaining body composition is accomplished by gauging the extent to which a substance opposes or hinders the transmission of an electrical current, also known as impedance. Its purpose is to determine the amount of body fat present in an individual.


 

 


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