A qualitative approach to assessing body compartments using bioelectrical variables.

A total of twelve subsamples of healthy European adults (207 males, 208 females) and Ecuadorian school children (300 males, 300 females) were studied with regard to their normal balance of body composition by calculating their bioelectrical values measured by a Phase-Sensitive Impedance Analyzer (BIA 101, Akern s.r.l., Florence, Italy). The method involved bivariate analysis of reactance and phase angle and the associated Bioelectrical nomogram (i.e. 'Biagram') which gives valuable information on the ratio of extra-cellular to body cell masses and confirmed that the vast majority of the subjects were in good physical condition. The few cases of outliers were attributable to slight dehydration after excessive physical activity in the adult sample or to slight overhydration or malnutrition in the child sample. The results of the qualitative approach in various areas of assessment of body composition in healthy and diseased subjects implies its usefulness as a tool in epidemiological studies.