Body composition analysis

Body Composition Analysis (BCA) is the quantitative assessment of the structural components of the human body, extending beyond conventional body weight measurement. It differentiates between Fat Mass (FM), Fat-Free Mass (FFM) – which includes skeletal muscle mass, total body water (intracellular/extracellular), bone mineral content, and residual soft tissues – and provides critical insights into an individual's physiological status.

Employing methodologies such as Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA), Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA), Air Displacement Plethysmography (ADP/Bod Pod), Hydrostatic Weighing, or Skinfold Calipers, BCA delivers objective data on adiposity distribution, muscle hypertrophy/atrophy, hydration levels, and bone density.

This analysis is indispensable in clinical medicine (assessing malnutrition, sarcopenia, obesity), sports science (optimizing athletic performance and training regimens), nutritional interventions, geriatric care, and chronic disease management (e.g., metabolic syndrome, renal failure). By evaluating shifts in tissue compartments, BCA enables precise health monitoring, risk stratification, and personalized therapeutic strategies, establishing it as a cornerstone of evidence-based physiological assessment.