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Body composition assessment of undernourished older subjects by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry and bioelectric impedance analysis

  • JNHA: Nutrition
  • Published:
The journal of nutrition, health & aging

Abstract

Background

The prevention and treatment of diseases related to changes in body composition require accurate methods for the measurement of body composition. However, few studies have dealt specifically with the assessment of body composition of undernourished older subjects by different methodologies.

Objectives

To assess the body composition of undernourished older subjects by two different methods, dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and bioelectric impedance (BIA), and to compare results with those of an eutrophic group.

Design

The study model was cross-sectional; the study was performed at the University Hospital of the School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil.

Participants

Forty-one male volunteers aged 62 to 91 years. The groups were selected on the basis of anamnesis, physical examination and nutritional assessment according to the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) score. Body composition was assessed by DXA and BIA.

Results

Body weight, arm and calf circumference, body mass index (BMI), fat free mass (FFM) and fat mass (FM) were significantly lower in the undernourished group as compared to the eutrophic group. There were no significant differences between FFM and FM mean values determined by DXA and BIA in both groups, but the agreement between methods in the undernourished group was less strong.

Conclusion

Our results suggest caution when BIA is to be applied in studies including undernourished older subjects. This study does not support BIA as an accurate method for the individual assessment of body composition.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Internal Medicine, Division of General Internal and Geriatric Medicine, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil

    Karla Helena Coelho Vilaça, E. Ferriolli, N. K. C. Lima & J. C. Moriguti

  2. Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Metabology, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil

    F. J. A. Paula

  3. Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Clinical Nutrition, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil

    J. S. Marchini

  4. Rua: Aldo Focosi, n° 170, apartamento 37, CEP 14091-310, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil

    Karla Helena Coelho Vilaça

Authors
  1. Karla Helena Coelho Vilaça
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  2. F. J. A. Paula
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  3. E. Ferriolli
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  4. N. K. C. Lima
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  5. J. S. Marchini
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  6. J. C. Moriguti
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Correspondence to Karla Helena Coelho Vilaça.

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Vilaça, K.H.C., Paula, F.J.A., Ferriolli, E. et al. Body composition assessment of undernourished older subjects by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry and bioelectric impedance analysis. J Nutr Health Aging 15, 439–443 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-010-0300-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-010-0300-x

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