Bia or bioelectrical impedance analysis is a non invasive measurement of body fat lean muscle mass and hydration. In part 2 you learned about underwater weighing and in part 3 you learned about the bod pod. Most body water is stored in muscle. Bioelectrical impedance bia bia is one of the quickest and easiest methods for predicting body fat. Percentage of body fat is strongly associated with the risk of several chronic diseases but its accurate measurement is difficult. The body fat percentage is a measure of fitness level since it is the only body measurement which directly calculates a persons relative body composition without regard to height or weight.
Bioelectrical impedance analysis bia is a commonly used method for estimating body composition in particular body fat and muscle massin bia a weak electric current flows through the body and the voltage is measured in order to calculate impedance resistance of the body. Bioelectrical impedance analysis bia is a relatively simple quick and non invasive technique to measure body composition. Focusing on body fat percentage instead of weight is much more useful to track fat loss. A cross validation study to design bioelectrical impedance equations in mexican adults nayeli macias 1 heliodoro alemán mateo 2 julián esparza romero 2 and mauro e valencia 2. Bioelectrical impedance analysis. However the convienience of this method comes at a price of accuracy.
Now lets talk about bia. Body fat percentage scales use a method known as bioelectrical impedance bia to estimate your body composition. Body fat measurement by bioelectrical impedance and air displacement plethysmography. Measurement errors can range from 355 body fat. They run a light electrical current through your body measure the degree of resistance or impedance to the flow of the current then use this information to estimate your body fat percentage 2. A number of methods are available for determining body fat percentage such as measurement with calipers or through the use of bioelectrical impedance analysis.
According to willett and co workers 2006 bia or bioelectrical impedance analysis involves passing a weak current across the extremities hands and feet to measure body composition. In part 1 of this series you learned about how body fat testing is a prediction not a measurement. A small current is used to measure the resistance at difference frequencies against the various tissues in the body eg fatlipid has a high resistance to the flow of current therefore shows a high impedance reading.