Body Fat Analysis: Using Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) to Measure Body Fat

Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis

One of latest and frequently used tools used to measure body fat is bioelectrical impedance analysis, or BIA. A quick, easy, and safe method to accurately and precisely measure body fat and lean tissue, the use & utility of BIA technique has only increased since its introduction in mid '80s. Because of benefits and features, it quickly gained acceptance among fitness enthusiasts desiring a quick and accurate tool for calculating how much muscle mass, fat, water, tissue and bone a person may have.

What Is It Used For?
Bioelectrical impedance can help you measure the following:

Trunkal Fat: Trunkal fat is an estimate of fat on and around your trunk (abdominal / belly region). It must be noted that increased abdominal fat has been found to be associated with a number of disorders such as diabetes and obesity.

Fat-Free Mass (FFM): Fat-free mass, also called lean body mass, is the total amount of nonfat (lean) parts of the body and includes water, protein, mineral, and ash. Fat-free mass contains virtually all the body's water, all the metabolically active tissues, and is the source of all metabolic caloric expenditure.

Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR): Basal metabolic rate (BMR) is the number of calories metabolized at rest during 24 hours and is the key to effective weight management. For a typical patient, BMR accounts for more than ninety percent of their total daily expenditure – more than ninety percent of calories are burned while the patient is at rest. The basal metabolic rate is determined by fat-free mass.

What edge does BIA have over other fat measurement methods?
Currently, some of the main & frequently used methods to measure obesity, body fat mass & composition include the following:
i) Body Mass Index
ii) Waist circumference
iii) Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
iv) Computed tomography (CT) scan
v) Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA)

However, almost all of these methods have a number of drawbacks. For example, traditional tools, including the fat caliper or skin fold test, only provide information about body fat. A BIA, however, can provide valuable information about how much water resides in the body as a whole, and also comparing this with total muscle, tissue and bone mass. The result is an estimate of total body fat. Also, other ordinary methods such as BMI and waist circumference (WC) can not differentiate between fat mass and the lean tissue.

Similarly, MRI, CT scan, and (DXA) are all very expensive costs and also expose you to plenty of rations and, hence, are unsuitable for mass screenings. Bioelectrical impedance (BIA), on the other hand, can not only precisely measure and differentiate lean and fat tissue but is also low-cost, quick, and safe compared to gold-standard radiation techniques such as MRI, CT scan and DXA. In addition, BIA technology can also help estimate fatness of different regions such as the trunk (abdomen / belly region).

How Does BIA Work?

BIA works on a simple principle of water conduction. A large percentage of the human body is made up of water, and water is a great conductor of electricity. However, the body does not store this water uniformly throughout the body; lean muscle contains a lot of water, while fat tissue has practically none. Because of this, electrical current travels freely through muscle, but in fat it meets resistance. During BIA a small electrical current is passed through your body, and the device measures this resistance. It uses that data, along with other input such as your height, age, weight, and gender, to determine what percentage of your body is fat.

Should I Use BIA?

All, in all, if you are looking for a quick, painless and inexpensive fat+weight measuring tool you can use to measure your weight and your body fat, a BIA scale may be just what you need. You can find these scales just about anywhere, and they range in price from about $20 to over $100 depending on the type of scale you buy and the accuracy you desire. Therefore, if you are serious about maintaining a lean body you should consider using the BIA with other health assessments so you get a better idea of exactly how "fat" or "lean" your body really is.

Tips For Success

There are several strategies you can use to improve the accuracy of BIA when used in the home. By using these tips you are more likely to get an accurate idea of what your body fat and lean body mass are.

• Do BIA at the same time every day or each time you measure.
• Try several measurements during the week so you have an idea of how accurate your measurements are.
• Stay well-hydrated. Since the test is dependent on your body's water content, dehydration can skew results. You should also try to maintain a proper balance of electrolytes.
• Avoid drinking alcohol 24 hours before you test. Alcohol can cause swelling, inflammation and dehydration, leading to an inaccurate reading.
• Avoid large amounts of caffeine 24 hrs before testing, this can also cause dehydration.
• Try measuring first thing in the morning, before you've had anything to eat or drink that may impair the accuracy of the test.

Related Articles

• Analyzing Body Fat with Anthropometric Methods
• Primary Causes of Obesity
• Affect of Obesity on Physical and Mental Well-Being
• Measuring Body Fat with Skinfold Calipers