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Cited by 71Body Composition Measurement TechniquesObesity, Physical Activity, DietIndigenous Health and Education

Validity of Body-Composition Methods across Racial and Ethnic Populations

Open access
Blue, Malia N M, Tinsley, Grant M, Ryan, Eric D, Smith-Ryan, Abbie E·2021·Advances in Nutrition
DOI 10.1093/advances/nmab016PMC PMC8528114
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Abstract

Multi-compartment body-composition models that divide the body into its multiple constituents are the criterion method for measuring body fat percentage, fat mass, and fat-free mass. However, 2- and 3-compartment body-composition devices such as air displacement plethysmography (ADP), DXA, and bioelectrical impedance devices [bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA)] are more commonly used. Accurate measures depend on several assumptions, including constant hydration, body proportion, fat-free body density, and population characteristics. Investigations evaluating body composition in racial and ethnic minorities have observed differences in the aforementioned components between cohorts. Consequently, for racial/ethnic minority populations, estimates of body composition may not be valid. The purpose of this review was to comprehensively examine the validity of common body-composition devices in multi-ethnic samples (samples including >1 race/ethnicity) and in African-American, Hispanic, Asian, and Native American populations. Based on the literature, DXA produces valid results in multi-ethnic samples and ADP is valid for Hispanic and African American males when utilizing race-specific equations. However, for DXA and ADP, there is a need for validity investigations that include larger, more racially diverse samples, specifically including Hispanic/Latinx, Asian, Native American adults, and African-American females. Technology has advanced significantly since initial validity studies were conducted; therefore, conclusions are based on outdated models and software. For BIA, body-composition measures may be valid in a multi-ethnic sample, but the literature demonstrates disparate results between races/ethnicities. For BIA and ADP, the majority of studies have utilized DXA or hydrostatic weighing as the criterion to determine validity; additional studies utilizing a multi-compartment model criterion are essential to evaluate accuracy. Validity studies evaluating more recent technology in larger, more racially/ethnically diverse samples may improve our ability to select the appropriate method to accurately assess body composition in each racial/ethnic population.

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Crossref · 10.1093/advances/nmab016

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Research works printed but not linked: 1

  1. Wi-Young, 2012, Body composition measurements determined by air displacement plethysmography and eight-polar bioelectrical impedance analysis are equivalent in African American college students, HealthMED, 6, 6

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Authors
Blue, M. N. M., Tinsley, G. M., Ryan, E. D., & Smith-Ryan, A. E.
Affiliations
  • High Point University (US)
  • Texas Tech University (US)
  • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (US)
Corresponding author
Blue, Malia N M
ORCID
Venue
Advances in Nutrition
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2021-09
Volume
12
Issue
5
Pages
1854-1862
ISSN
  • 2156-5376 (ISSN-L)
  • 2161-8313
DOI
10.1093/advances/nmab016
PMC
PMC8528114
OpenAlex
W3134716739
Cited by
71
References
77
Citations by year
2026: 10 · 2025: 14 · 2024: 23 · 2023: 13 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 1
FWCI
6.05
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Advances in Nutrition (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Body Composition Measurement Techniques
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Indigenous Health and Education
Keywords
body composition, measurement validity, racial and ethnic differences, air displacement plethysmography, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, bioelectrical impedance analysis, fat-free mass, fat mass
MeSH terms
Adult, Body Composition, Ethnicity, Female, Humans, Male, Minority Groups, Absorptiometry, Photon, Electric Impedance

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