MEASUREMENT OF CHANGE IN TOTAL BODY FAT *

Journal/Book: Reprinted from THE JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION VOI. 38 NO. 9 pp. 1475-1478 September 1959. 1959;

Abstract: (From the Department of Medicine Georgetown University School of Medicine and the Georgetown University Hospital Washington D. C.) (Submitted for publication February 10 1959; accepted May 7 1959) * This study was supported by the William Wade Hinshaw Fund and by a contract between Georgetown University and the Office of Naval Research. Reproduction in whole or in part is permitted for any purpose of the United States Government. Â† Formerly a Research Fellow of the National Institutes of Health. SUMMARY Comparison was made of two independent methods of estimating body fat changes in eight patients studied under conditions of metabolic balance over periods from 20 to 158 days. Serial measurements of body fat were obtained by substituting values for body density (underwater weighing) and total body water into a single fat prediction equation. Change in total body fat which ranged from a gain of 7.4 Kg. to a loss of 15.3 Kg. as determined densitometrically was compared with variations in fat as determined by subtracting the sum of measured changes in protein and water from change in body weight. In the eight studies there was no significant difference in calculated fat as determined by the two methods (p > 0.90). Comparison of individual studies revealed differences that fell within the potential error of the methods. The close correlation between the two methods strengthens the validity of both and indicates that estimation of change in total body fat can be approached by readily available volume distribution and balance techniques. schö

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