1. ¹Clinical Nutrition, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo University, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
2. ²Radio-Diagnosis and Imaging, University Hospital of Medical School, São Paulo University, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil

Correspondence: AA Jordão Jr, Clinical Nutrition Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto-USP, Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, 14049-900 Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil. E-mail: aajordao@bol.com.br

Received 22 September 2003; Accepted 8 December 2003; Published online 31 August 2004.

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Correlated nutritional assessment data (anthropometric, bioimpedance and biochemical) with computerized tomography (CT) of total, muscle and fat midarm areas. Total body fat and fat-free mass were estimated using bioimpedance. Daily urinary urea and creatinine were also quantified. In all, 28 subjects (13 males, 15 females) were evaluated and, they were clinically divided in obese, malnourished and control subjects.

DESIGN: Quantification of total, fat muscle midarm areas by tomography and anthropometry and total body fat and free-fat mass by bioimpedance.

RESULTS: CT values were 29% higher for fat area and 4–5% lower for total and muscle midarm areas compared against anthropometric data. The midarm skinfold thickness highly correlated with CT fat midarm area. Total body fat and free-fat mass bioimpedance data showed significant correlation with CT midarm data. Urinary creatinine correlated with CT muscle midarm area.

CONCLUSION: Utilization of anthropometry can lead to error estimation of fat and fat-free arm areas and that bioimpedance gives fair correlation between total body and CT midarm measurements.