Work

Use of standardised, size-matched clothing enables accurate assessment of percentage body fat by air-displacement plethysmography

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Background & aims Air-displacement plethysmography (ADP) is a precise methodology for the examination of body composition. Due to the recommended wearing of tight-fitting and minimal clothing like swimwear during ADP measurements, subject compliance may be reduced. The aim of this study was therefore to evaluate accuracy of alternative body composition measurement methods such as ADP when wearing alternative standardized clothing adapted to the individual size or skinfold thickness (SFT) measuring based on three or seven measurement points. Methods Body composition was measured by ADP and SFT in 48 subjects (30 women, 18 men). ADP measurement was performed in reference clothing (tight-fitting and minimal clothing, ADP ref ) and in scrubs adapted to the individual size (ADP sc ). SFT was measured at seven predefined locations, body composition was calculated based on three or all seven measurements (SFT 3P or SFT 7P ). Results Compared to ADP ref , alternative measurement methods resulted in lower values of percentage body fat (P < 0.05) of different levels in each method (ADP ref - ADP sc = 9.3 ± 0.2 %; ADP ref - SFT 3P = 3.5 ± 0.7 % and ADP ref - SFT 7P = 3.7 ± 0.7 %) in subjects with a body mass index (BMI) of ≥18.5–< 30 kg/m 2 (n = 45). These differences were independent of sex, age, or BMI. According to regression analyses, correct ADP ref values could be reliably calculated from ADP sc (Y = 10.622 + 0.924 ∗ X; R 2 = 0.967), which was also possible with SFT 3P and SFT 7P , but not to the same extent. Conclusions Wearing scrubs instead of reference clothing results in a significant underestimation of 9.3 % percentage body fat by ADP measurement. However, if the scrubs are adapted to the individual size, correct values of percentage body fat can be calculated for normal and overweight people. This simplification of the measurement process may lead to increased compliance.

Source: Clinical Nutrition ESPEN

DOI: 10.1016/j.clnesp.2025.04.020

Authors: Carsten Schumacher, Alessia Lunow, Nittiya Mokanarajah, Anna Kutschenko

Institution: Medizinische Hochschule Hannover

Language: English

Topic: Body Composition Measurement Techniques

Subfield: Physiology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $2,750