Body Fat assessment Flashcards
BMI (Body Mass Index)
Advantages
-Cost - effective
-Easy to calculate
Disadvantages
-Doesn’t account for muscle or bone mass
-Influenced by age, gender and ethnicity
Waist-to-Hip Ratio (WHR)
Advantages:
Easy to measure
Minimal resources needed (tape measure)
Quick method
Disadvantages:
Hard to measure accurately
Hydrostatic Weighing (Water Displacement)
Advantages:
Highly accurate (gold standard)
Disadvantages:
Limited accessibility
Expensive and not portable
Some populations (elderly, young) may find it challenging
Bod Pod (Air Displacement)
Advantages:
Accurate, fast, and non-invasive
Easy to use
Disadvantages:
Expensive
Claustrophobic
Not portable
Skinfold Measurements
Calipers measure subcutaneous fat at specific body sites
Advantages:
Inexpensive and portable
Immediate results
Easy and quick to do
Disadvantages:
Accuracy depends on the technician’s skill
Invasive, may cause discomfort
Not ideal for obese individuals
Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA)
Measures body fat by sending a weak electrical current through the body
Advantages:
Non-invasive and painless
Safe and affordable
Easy to use, ideal for home or rural settings
Disadvantages:
Results can vary if not done correctly
Not suitable for people with pacemakers
CT Scans
Method: Uses X-rays to create cross-sectional images of the body
Advantages:
Provides detailed and accurate data
Disadvantages:
Expensive and not widely accessible
Exposure to radiation
Can induce claustrophobia
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
Method: Non-invasive imaging of body tissue compartments
Advantages:
Highly accurate
Disadvantages:
Expensive
Not portable (requires a hospital or specialized center)
DEXA (Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry)
Method: Measures bone density and body composition using X-ray technology
Advantages:
Accurate and detailed body composition analysis
Disadvantages:
Expensive
Requires specific equipment, usually in hospitals
