Original Research

Validity and reliability of bioelectrical impedance analysis to estimate body fat percentage against air displacement plethysmography and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry

Corresponding Author

Pamela R. von Hurst

Human Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Health, Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand

Correspondence: P. von Hurst, Human Nutrition and Dietetics, Massey University, Private Bag 102904, Auckland 0745, New Zealand.

Email: [email protected]

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Daniel C.I. Walsh,

Daniel C.I. Walsh

Institute of Natural and Mathematical Sciences, Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand

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Cathryn A. Conlon,

Cathryn A. Conlon

Human Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Health, Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand

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Michelle Ingram,

Michelle Ingram

Human Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Health, Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand

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Rozanne Kruger,

Rozanne Kruger

Human Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Health, Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand

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Welma Stonehouse,

Welma Stonehouse

Human Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Health, Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand

CSIRO Animal, Food and Health Sciences, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

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Pamela R. von Hurst,

Corresponding Author

Pamela R. von Hurst

Human Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Health, Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand

Correspondence: P. von Hurst, Human Nutrition and Dietetics, Massey University, Private Bag 102904, Auckland 0745, New Zealand.

Email: [email protected]

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Daniel C.I. Walsh,

Daniel C.I. Walsh

Institute of Natural and Mathematical Sciences, Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand

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Cathryn A. Conlon,

Cathryn A. Conlon

Human Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Health, Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand

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Michelle Ingram,

Michelle Ingram

Human Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Health, Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand

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Rozanne Kruger,

Rozanne Kruger

Human Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Health, Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand

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Welma Stonehouse,

Welma Stonehouse

Human Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Health, Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand

CSIRO Animal, Food and Health Sciences, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

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First published: 05 April 2015

https://doi.org/10.1111/1747-0080.12172

Citations: 65

P.R. von Hurst, PhD, Senior Lecturer

D.C.I. Walsh, PhD, Lecturer

C.A. Conlon, PhD, Senior Lecturer

M. Ingram, PGDip, PhD Student

R. Kruger, PhD, NZRD, Associate Professor

W. Stonehouse, PhD, Associate Professor

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Abstract

Air displacement plethysmography (ADP) and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) are well-regarded methods for predicting body fat percentage (BF%). Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) also predicts BF% and has distinct advantages in research settings.

Aim

To assess the validity of BIA against ADP and DXA to measure BF%, and to test the reliability of each method.

Methods

Adults (n = 166) with a wide range of body mass index (19–38 kg/m²) were tested twice during a 5-day period. ADP was conducted in a BodPod (Life Measurement Inc, Concord, CA, USA); DXA measurements on a QDR Discovery A (Hologic) and BIA measurements used the InBody 230 (Biospace Ltd., Seoul, Korea). Agreement between measurements was analysed using t-tests, effect size, linear regression models and method of triads (estimating true value).

Results

BIA showed excellent relative agreement to the estimated true value (ρ = 0.97 (0.96, 0.98)) and to ADP (R² = 0.88) and DXA (R² = 0.92), but wide limits of agreement (−4.25 to 8.37%). BIA underestimated BF% by 2%, across all values. DXA showed excellent relative agreement to the estimated true value (ρ = 0.97 (0.96, 0.98)) and with ADP (R² = 0.92), good absolute agreement but wide limits of agreement (−6.13 to 6.91%) and under- and overestimation at high and low BF% levels, respectively. All methods showed excellent reliability with repeat measurements differing by less than 0.2% with very small 95% CIs.

Conclusions

BIA may be a valid method in research and population samples. All three methods showed excellent reliability.

Supporting Information

References

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Citing Literature

Volume73, Issue2

April 2016

Pages 197-204

Filename	Description
ndi12172-sup-0001-FigureS1.docxWord 2007 document , 38.8 KB	Figure S1 Bland–Altman plot of BIA compared to BodPod for body fat percentage. Mean difference between methods (solid line) and limits of agreement (mean difference ± 1.96 SD, dashed lines).
ndi12172-sup-0002-FigureS2.docxWord 2007 document , 34.7 KB	Figure S2 Bland–Altman plot of DXA compared to BodPod for body fat percentage. Mean difference between methods (solid line) and limits of agreement (mean difference ± 1.96 SD, dashed lines).
ndi12172-sup-0003-FigureS3.docxWord 2007 document , 23.7 KB	Figure S3 Bland–Altman plot of BIA compared to DXA for body fat percentage. Mean difference between methods (solid line) and limits of agreement (mean difference ± 1.96 SD, dashed lines).

Validity and reliability of bioelectrical impedance analysis to estimate body fat percentage against air displacement plethysmography and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry

Abstract

Aim

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Supporting Information

References

Citing Literature

References

Information

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Validity and reliability of bioelectrical impedance analysis to estimate body fat percentage against air displacement plethysmography and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry

Abstract

Aim

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Supporting Information

References

Citing Literature

References

Related

Information