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Tracking fat-free mass changes in elderly men and women using single-frequency bioimpedance and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry: a four-compartment model comparison

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 67, pages S40–S46 (2013)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Background/Objectives:

To compare single estimations of fat-free mass (FFM) and to track FFM using single-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) compared with a four-compartment (4C) model in healthy elderly Americans.

Subjects/Methods:

Thirty-four men and thirty-eight women (Caucasian, ⩾65 years) were included in the study. Subjects participated in either the control group or the exercise group. All testing and training took place during the 21-week investigation. Body composition assessments using nine BIA equations, DXA and a 4C model were performed during weeks 1, 12 and 24 of the study.

Results:

Single estimations for DXA and BIA produced high r values (0.79–0.95) and low standard error of estimate values (1.62–3.3 kg), producing subjective ratings of ‘ideal’ for men and ‘excellent’ for women. Both DXA and two BIA equations revealed the same significance when comparing groups and times with the 4C model. Individual accuracy for tracking changes was similar among BIA equations and DXA compared with the 4C model, with a total agreement of 25% for BIA and 27% for DXA compared with the 4C model.

Conclusions:

The current data in combination with the reliability errors for both BIA and DXA FFM estimations suggest that individual results should be interpreted with caution if FFM changes are <5 kg. However, DXA and BIA are both valid methods that can be used interchangeably to estimate FFM at a single time point or for tracking changes in FFM in small groups (15–22) of healthy American older adults.

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Acknowledgements

We thank all the subjects who participated in this investigation. This project was funded by Abbott Nutrition. ImpediMed Limited supplied the electrodes and BIA device used in this investigation. Publication of this article was supported by a grant from seca Gmbh & Co. KG, Hamburg, Germany.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Sports Exercise Science, United States Sports Academy, Daphne, AL, USA

    J R Moon

  2. MusclePharm Sports Science Center Research Institute, Denver, CO, USA

    J R Moon

  3. Sport and Exercise Science Program, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA

    J R Stout

  4. Department of Exercise and Sport Science, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA

    A E Smith-Ryan

  5. Department of Health and Kinesiology, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA, USA

    K L Kendall

  6. Department of Exercise Science, Creighton University, Omaha, NE, USA

    D H Fukuda

  7. Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences, University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA

    J T Cramer

  8. Department of Psychiatry, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, USA

    S E Moon

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Correspondence to J R Moon.

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Competing interests

JRM is Research Institute Director at MusclePharm Corporation, but the corporation was not involved in the submission. JRS has received consulting fees and grant support from Abbott Nutrition. JTC is a paid consultant for Abbott Nutrition, Vital Pharmaceuticals Inc., and has served as an expert witness for Vital Pharmaceuticals. JTC has also received lecture fees from General Nutrition Center and grant support from Rock Creek Pharmaceuticals, Abbott Nutrition and General Nutrition Center. JTC receives royalties from Holocomb Hathaway for a coauthored book. The remaining authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Moon, J., Stout, J., Smith-Ryan, A. et al. Tracking fat-free mass changes in elderly men and women using single-frequency bioimpedance and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry: a four-compartment model comparison. Eur J Clin Nutr 67 (Suppl 1), S40–S46 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1038/ejcn.2012.163

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