Abstract

Background: To improve body composition measurement methods for physically active healthy individuals, validation with of bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA) with using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) on basis of variation in body mass index (BMI) and physical activity are executed.

Aims and Objectives: This study aimed to compare the single-frequency BIA with the more exact dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) so that a cost-effective instrument can be used for the research studies as well as by the general population.

Materials and Methods: Thirty physically active male individuals were stratified on the basis of BMI as normal weight and overweight and also on the basis of the physical activity as low physical activity and high physical activity groups. The total body composition was analyzed using single-frequency BIA and by pencil-beam DXA scanner.

Results: Fat-free mass (FFM) was significantly overestimated in whole sample as well as when the population was classified according to BMI and physical activity. Bland Altman’s analysis stated agreement for fat mass (FM) with −0.06 kg proportional bias and −7.9 to +7.8 limits of agreement and for FM percentage (FM %) with −1.01% proportional bias and −11.1 to 8.9 limits of agreement while poor agreement was shown with FFM. BIA gives statistically similar values for FM and FM% in overall population in comparison to DXA.

Conclusion: BIA can be preferred over DXA while conducting FM-based analysis on large populations.

Key words: Bland–Altman Analysis; Body Mass Index; Fat Mass; Fat-Free Mass; Fat Mass Percentage