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Updated: Jun 9, 2025
Author Spotlight: Advancements in 3D Optical Imaging for Comprehensive Body Composition Assessment in Modern Research
Published on: June 7, 2024
Smartphone three-dimensional imaging for body composition assessment using non-rigid avatar reconstruction
Grant M Tinsley1, Christian Rodriguez1, Christine M Florez1
1Energy Balance & Body Composition Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology and Sport Management, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, United States.
Background:
Modern digital anthropometry applications utilize smartphone cameras to rapidly construct three-dimensional humanoid avatars, quantify relevant anthropometric variables, and estimate body composition.
Methods:
In the present study, 131 participants ([73 M, 58 F] age 33.7 ± 16.0 y; BMI 27.3 ± 5.9 kg/m2, body fat 29.9 ± 9.9%) had their body composition assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and a smartphone 3D scanning application using non-rigid avatar reconstruction. The performance of two new body fat % estimation equations was evaluated through reliability and validity statistics, Bland-Altman analysis, and equivalence testing.
Results:
In the reliability analysis, the technical error of the measurement and intraclass correlation coefficient were 0.5-0.7% and 0.996-0.997, respectively. Both estimation equations demonstrated statistical equivalence with DXA based on ±2% equivalence regions and strong linear relationships (Pearson's r 0.90; concordance correlation coefficient 0.89-0.90). Across equations, mean absolute error and standard error of the estimate values were ~ 3.5% and ~ 4.2%, respectively. No proportional bias was observed.
Conclusion:
While continual advances are likely, smartphone-based 3D scanning may now be suitable for implementation for rapid and accessible body measurement in a variety of applications.
