Body composition measurements

Measurement of body composition is an important tool for the assessment of nutritional status. During the past decades, new methods have been developed for the quantification of body fat. The model commonly used in body composition research is the two-component model. The two components are the fat and the fat-free mass, both with a specific density; the sum of the two components is the body mass. The fat-free mass is not homogeneous, but theoretically consists of several "fat-free" organs, tissues and fluids. Yet, the two-component model is often used because it is difficult to obtain detailed information about the relative proportions of organs, tissues and fluids. Body composition studies are based on quantitative measurements of one of the components of the human body. A review of measuring techniques, each with a specific approach to analysis of body composition, is presented.