Methods of assessing body composition and anthropometric measurements – a review of the literature

Pawlak Angelika, Ręka Gabriela, Olszewska Anna, Warchulińska Joanna, Piecewicz-Szczęsna Halina. Methods of assessing body composition and anthropometric measurements – a review of the literature. Journal of Education, Health and Sport. 2021;11(4):18-27. eISSN 2391-8306. DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.12775/JEHS.2021.11.04.002

https://apcz.umk.pl/czasopisma/index.php/JEHS/article/view/JEHS.2021.11.04.002

https://zenodo.org/record/4671483

 

 

 

 

 

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© The Authors 2021;

This article is published with open access at Licensee Open Journal Systems of Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Poland

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The authors declare that there is no conflict of interests regarding the publication of this paper.

 

Received: 21.03.2021. Revised: 26.03.2021. Accepted: 08.04.2021.

 

 

 

 

 

Methods of assessing body composition and anthropometric measurements – a review of the literature

 

Angelika Pawlak

ORCID iD https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4130-2593

Affiliation Students’ Scientific Association of Chair and Department of Epidemiology and Clinical Research Methodology, Medical University of Lublin, Radziwiłłowska 11, 20-080 Lublin

Country Poland

Bio Statement —

Principal contact for editorial correspondence.

 

Gabriela Ręka

ORCID iD https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9728-5281

Affiliation Students’ Scientific Association of Chair and Department of Epidemiology and Clinical Research Methodology, Medical University of Lublin, Radziwiłłowska 11, 20-080 Lublin

Country Poland

Bio Statement —

 

Anna Olszewska

ORCID iD https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9787-0373

Affiliation Chair and Department of Human Physiology, Medical University of Lublin, Radziwiłłowska 11, 20-080 Lublin

Country Poland

Bio Statement —

 

Joanna Warchulińska

ORCID iD https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8814-7231

Affiliation Chair and Department of Human Physiology, Medical University of Lublin, Radziwiłłowska 11, 20-080 Lublin

Country Poland

Bio Statement —

 

Halina Piecewicz-Szczęsna

ORCID iD https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0573-7226

Affiliation Chair and Department of Epidemiology and Clinical Research Methodology, Medical University of Lublin, Radziwiłłowska 11, 20-080 Lublin

Country Poland

Bio Statement —

 

 

 

Abstract

Introduction and purpose

            Body composition assessment is an important element in determining the health of the body, which enables us to estimate the percent content of particular tissues in the body. Measured parameters include the amount of adipose tissue, muscle, bone tissue, and hydration. The aim of the study is to present a differentiation of methods of assessing body composition and anthropometric measurements after analysis of 29 scientific publications from Pubmed and Google Scholar.

A brief description of the state of knowledge

Bioelectrical impedance analysis, densitometry, magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, and air displacement plethysmography are methods that enable us to assess body composition and hydration. These methods differ from each other in equipment which is used, accuracy, test price, and technique of measurement. The differences in the accuracy of measurements result from the lack of correlation between the methods given. Skinfold thickness, body mass index, waist to hip circumference ratio, and growth charts in children are methods of assessing anthropometric measurements. The research shows the use of individual methods of assessing body composition and methods of anthropometric measurements among different age groups.

Conclusions

There are many devices and methods for measuring body composition and for anthropometric measurements, which can be used in different age groups. They are important in assessing human growth, development, and health status and can be used in clinical practice.

 

Key words: body composition; measures; weights; bioelectrical impedance