Reference Data of Phase Angle Using Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis in Overweight and Obese Chinese

Area of Science:

• Biomarkers and Health Metrics
• Body Composition Analysis
• Nutritional Assessment

Background:

• Phase angle (PhA), derived from bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), reflects cellular integrity and nutritional status.
• PhA is a prognostic tool in various medical conditions and an indicator of muscle quality in obesity.
• Existing PhA reference values are lacking for Chinese overweight and obese populations, limiting clinical application.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish Phase angle (PhA) reference data across different age and BMI strata for Chinese adults who are overweight or obese.
• To investigate the influence of age, sex, and body mass index (BMI) on PhA in this population.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 1729 overweight and obese Chinese participants.
• Body composition and PhA were measured using segmental multifrequency BIA.
• Statistical analyses included one-way ANOVA and multiple regression to assess associations between PhA, age, sex, and BMI.

Main Results:

• Multiple regression analysis identified age, sex, and BMI as significant independent factors influencing PhA (P < 0.05).
• Mean PhA was 5.5° for the total cohort, with significant differences observed between sexes and across age and BMI groups.
• Older age groups (46-55 and ≥56 years) and higher BMI groups (≥28 kg/m²) showed significantly lower and higher PhA, respectively, compared to baseline groups.

Conclusions:

• Phase angle (PhA) values are demonstrably influenced by age, sex, and BMI in Chinese overweight and obese adults.
• The generated reference data can inform the establishment of clinical reference values for this specific demographic.
• This study provides crucial data for utilizing PhA as a biomarker in clinical practice for Chinese populations with overweight and obesity.