Body composition during growth in children: limitations and perspectives of bioelectrical impedance analysis
There are a number of differences between the body composition of children and adults. Body composition measurements in children are inherently challenging, because of the rapid growth-related changes in height, weight, fat-free mass (FFM) and fat mass (FM), but they are fundamental for the quality of the clinical follow-up. All body composition measurements for clinical use are 'indirect' methods based on assumptions that do not hold true in all situations or subjects. The clinician must primarily rely on two-compartment models (that is, FM and FFM) for routine determination of body composition of children. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is promising as a bedside method, because of its low cost and ease of use. This paper gives an overview of the differences in body composition between adults and children in order to understand and appreciate the difference in body composition during growth.