and fat and can be used to evaluate regional body composition. While soft tissue measurements are not accurate, this method may become the criterion method of assessing body composition because of the precise data it produces and its independence from underlying assumptions.

As presented in Chapter 7, bioelectrical impedance analysis measures current flow through the body noninvasively to generate equations that are validated against other body composition assessment methods. This method is based on the assessment of total body water, so its utility is affected by differences in hydrational status.