Determining Body Composition: How to Determine Body Composition?

People differ from each other in many physiological parameters: stature, weight, age, height. However, why do two people of the same height and weight may look different? It’s all about body composition. One person may have more muscle mass, while another may have more fat.

Proper body composition is the key to health!

The correct balance between bone mass, fat, muscles, and water constitutes body composition. There are specific norms of body composition, summarized in tables presenting these data. For men, the normal range of fat mass is up to 21%, for women – up to 27%.
While bone structure is unchangeable, the amount of fat and muscles in the body is relative and can be adjusted with the right approach.
The composition of the body directly determines which activities are better for a particular individual. Therefore, for those interested in body health and longevity, the question of how to determine their body composition is relevant.

Why Analyzing Body Composition Is Necessary

Everyone concerned about their health should know how much water, muscles, and fluid are in their body.
It is known that a large amount of fluid may indicate heart problems, a low indicator of active cellular mass may indicate a failure in the endocrine system and liver function. If excess fat mass is detected, it’s time to adjust weight to bring it to normal.
Diagnosing body composition is necessary for developing a proper individual fitness program, dietary regimen, and monitoring the dynamics of rehabilitation.
It is known that people with balanced body composition get sick less often, live longer, and do not suffer from obesity. Meanwhile, obesity is a condition affecting a significant portion of the world’s population, including children, capable of leading to dire consequences:

– cardiovascular diseases;
– diabetes;
– musculoskeletal pathologies;
– hypertension;
– immune system suppression;
– liver diseases, gallbladder, pancreas;
– oncological diseases;
– early mortality.

However, a low percentage of body fat tissue cannot be considered a positive phenomenon either, as people with fat deficiency suffer from cold, low bone density, muscle weakness, decreased immunity, and women may find it difficult to conceive and carry a child.
Insufficient muscle mass has its medical term – sarcopenia. People with this diagnosis are weak and exhausted, often suffer from osteoporosis, metabolic disorders, hormonal imbalances.
Therefore, regularly conducting an analysis of the component composition of the body means taking the right path to physical and mental health.
Weight loss should occur at the expense of excess fat and fluid, not muscles. Systematic observation (once a month or two) contributes to timely correction of all indicators. Diagnosis is an essential element of rehabilitation.

Methods of Analyzing Body Composition

For a long time, the body mass index was indicative. However, it could not determine the percentage of fat and muscle tissue, so a series of alternative methods were developed, which more accurately determined the component composition of the body.

Caliperometry or “pinch method”. A physician would pinch subcutaneous fat with fingers and measure how many centimeters came out.

Hydrostatic densitometry, also known as underwater weighing. The method was suggested by Archimedes’ principle. A person was submerged in water, according to the laws of physics, a certain volume of fluid equal to the body volume emerged. It was correlated with weight and the percentage of fat mass was calculated.
Plethysmography, simply put – air weighing. Instead of displaced water, the volume of air was measured.

Isotopic dilution method. A radiolabelled substance was injected into the body, and after a day, a sample of fluid was taken. The more water in the body, the faster the introduced substance dissolved.

DEXA, or dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. A complex hardware method based on tissue’s ability to absorb or deflect protons. DEXA determines the amount of fat and non-fat tissue, as well as bone density.

Computed Tomography. The method involves passing X-rays through the human body and recording data with special detectors. It is an informative method providing accurate data on muscle and fat mass. However, its radioactive emission makes it somewhat undesirable in clinics.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Provides a visual image confirmed by digital data.
BIA, or bioelectrical impedance analysis method.

Today, the most widely used method of determining human body composition. It is a hardware method, the software of which is regularly updated and improved, allowing obtaining informative and visual results without harm to health. This professional body composition analyzer is based on the fact that body tissues have different electrical conductivity. An imperceptible electric current is passed through the body, and readings are taken. Then the quantity of various tissues is determined.

How Does Bioimpedance Analysis of Body Composition Work?

The method is non-invasive, painless, and the procedure is not lengthy. It all starts with filling out a program on the computer, where information about:

– patient’s age;
– weight;
– circumference of hips, waist, wrists.
– height;
– gender.

Then the person lies on the couch, and like when taking an electrocardiogram, electrodes are placed on the wrists and ankles to measure certain parameters. 15 minutes – and the internal map of the body is ready, composite tissue analysis available.
Devices have been developed to take measurements from a standing person. But the principle of operation is the same in different models.

As a result, the doctor receives a set of indicators in percentage and kilogram expression. The quantity of:

– lean mass, which includes nervous tissue, muscles, joints, bones, internal organs;
– water – indicating edema and improper fluid elimination;
– active cellular mass, including tissues capable of breaking down fat. If it is insufficient, fat will be deposited despite diets and exercises;
– fat tissue.

Modern devices also provide information on how much energy a person expends at rest, what caloric intake is best for them, and what optimal body weight they should strive for.

Thus, body composition analysis is the starting point for the path to health.

Price of Body Composition Analysis in Kyiv

The cost of this popular service in Kyiv clinics varies significantly. The price depends on:

– the method used;
– the novelty and costliness of the equipment;
– the qualification of doctors;
– the prestige of the medical institution.

At the Soul & Body center, we are always happy to provide comprehensive answers to questions about methods of determining body composition, the time required for the procedure, the cost of a doctor’s appointment, and the test itself.

Why should you turn to us for body composition determination in Kyiv?

Soul & Body Clinic is a modern center that harmoniously combines classical medical practices and approaches with the latest global developments. The present era demands updated approaches to the process of healing, which begins with identifying the underlying causes of problems and only then proceeds to work with the consequences. Harmony of body and spirit is our firm credo.

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