Mathematical models are a means of formalizing the
knowledge on living systems obtained in clinical physiology and
theoretical biophysics. They allow the actual processes in
living systems to be described and the mechanisms of these
systems to be evaluated. The study of body composition strives
to quantitatively evaluate intrinsic body compartments and to
obtain important information on the nutritional and energy
requirements of healthy persons and those with various
pathologies. Although there has been great progress in the
development of sophisticated instruments for body composition
research, it is not always possible to directly measure certain
body compartments (e. g. intracellular water and fat mass)
because of either technical difficulties or for ethical reasons.
Therefore, mathematical models, which can potentially estimate
these compartments indirectly, may be a viable alternative. In
this paper, we describe the various advances in the use of
mathematical models for body composition research.