Body Fat Rate Measurement: A Cheaper And More Accurate Means Of Determining State Of Health, Australia

Main Category: Cardiovascular / Cardiology
Also Included In: Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness;  Diabetes;  Public Health
Article Date: 11 Sep 2007 - 1:00 PDT

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Researchers have determined that one's Body Fat Rate (BFR) - attained using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) - provides a highly accurate and economical method to measure body composition.

This study is published in the Online Early edition of the journal, Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology, published by Wiley-Blackwell.

In his article "Correlation of body compositions with cardiac function and arterial compliance" lead author Dr. Qiang Zeng says, "Data in this study provides new insights into potential of BIA in the clinical diagnosis of cardiovascular disease - the top killer in the world today."

A quick and painless technique, BIA is able to present an accurate index of BFR,which has high correlations to blood pressure, arterial and cardiac functions. Results show that subjects with normal blood pressure had significantly lower BFR compared to people with defective arterial compliance.

The study also showed that commonly used measurements of body composition such as body mass index (BMI), hip-to-waist ratio and waist circumference are poor indicators of body mass. BMI, although being the most accepted obesity risk factor, failed to exhibit any correlation with cardiac function.

"Our results support the advantage of BFR over BMI in the comprehensive and objective assessment of cardiovascular risk factors which may be used as an early indicator for potential health problems." says Dr. Zeng.

Dr. Zeng added. "Secondary prevention is an important means to combat heart disease. Therefore, it is essential to have an efficient method such as BIA to attain an accurate determination of body composition so that respective therapeutic remedies may be optimized."

The article abstract is posted online here.

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About Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology

Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology provides a medium for the rapid publication of original research papers, short communications, rapid communications and theoretical articles (hypotheses) on the results of clinical and experimental work in pharmacology and physiology. Invited review articles are published occasionally.

The Journal aims to make a substantial contribution to effective and productive communication between scientists throughout the world who are working in these interrelated disciplines. Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology has been adopted by the High Blood Pressure Research Council of Australia (HBPRCA) and the Australasian Society of Clinical and Experimental Pharmacologists and Toxicologists (ASCEPT).

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