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Body composition, energy expenditure and physical activity

The effect of a meal on measures of impedance and percent body fat estimated using contact-electrode bioelectrical impedance technology

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 67, pages 950–955 (2013)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Background/objectives:

To determine the effect of a meal on impedance and percent body fat (%BF) determined using contact-electrode bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) technology.

Subjects/methods:

Forty-three adults (23 women and 20 men) volunteered to participate in this study (age=20.5±1.1 years; body mass index=24.1±3.8 kg/m2). Body composition was assessed using three BIA analyzers: leg-to-leg (LBIA), segmental (SBIA) and multi-frequency (MFBIA), on two separate occasions. After a baseline measurement, subjects consumed a meal or received nothing, which served as the control (CON). Subjects were reassessed 20, 40 and 60 min following (POST) the baseline measure in each condition.

Results:

Twenty minutes after eating (3847±900 kJ), body mass (LBIA=0.8 kg, SBIA=0.8 kg, MFBIA=0.7 kg, P<0.05), impedance (LBIA=6.0 Ω, SBIA=17.9 Ω, MFBIA=27.1 Ω, P<0.05) and %BF (LBIA=0.9%, SBIA=1.7%, MFBIA=0.8%, P<0.05) increased significantly and remained elevated at 60 min POST. During the CON trial, a consistent body mass reduction (60–80 g) and impedance increase (4–9 Ω) was observed over time resulting in a small increase in %BF (0.3–0.7%) 60 min POST (P<0.05).

Conclusions:

Twenty minutes after eating, %BF increased due to elevations in impedance and body mass. As such, when precision is critical, we recommend adhering to the pretest fasting guidelines to avoid meal-induced alterations in %BF estimates. In addition, use of a consistent testing schedule may minimize normal %BF variation over time.

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Acknowledgements

We gratefully acknowledge all subjects for their participation in this investigation. This investigation was supported by a Small Campus Research Grant from Lock Haven University.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Health Science, 165 Willis Health Professions Center, Lock Haven University, Lock Haven, PA, USA

    C B Dixon & B Masteller

  2. Department of Exercise Science, Bloomsburg University, Bloomsburg, PA, USA

    J L Andreacci

Authors
  1. C B Dixon
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  2. B Masteller
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  3. J L Andreacci
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to C B Dixon.

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The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Contributors: CBD and BM were responsible for study design, data collection and analysis, and writing of the manuscript. JLA was responsible for statistical analysis and assisted in writing of the manuscript.

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Dixon, C., Masteller, B. & Andreacci, J. The effect of a meal on measures of impedance and percent body fat estimated using contact-electrode bioelectrical impedance technology. Eur J Clin Nutr 67, 950–955 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1038/ejcn.2013.118

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