Comparison of Body Composition Measurement With Whole Body Multifrequency Bioelectrical Impedance and Air Displacement Plethysmography in Healthy Middle-Aged Women

Abstract

Our purpose was to evaluate accuracy of multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analysis (MFBIA) using air displacement plethysmography (ADP) as the criterion measure. Body composition of 27 women was assessed by ADP followed immediately by MFBIA. There was a strong relationship (p = .01) between ADP and MFBIA in absolute lean mass (r = 0.80), absolute fat mass (r = 0.99), percent lean mass (r = 0.91), and percent fat mass (r = 0.91). Although MFBIA consistently overestimated lean mass and underestimated fat mass compared with ADP, agreement between measurements was within 2%–3% body fat. An accurate assessment tool, MFBIA can be useful in clinical settings.