Body composition: relative in vivo determinations from potassium-40 measurements.

Measurements of body composition from serial, in vivo determinations of potassium-40 were made on 51 obese human subjects who were placed on a low calorie diet. Weight losses in the group averaged from 12 to 36 pounds. There was no change in potassium content or in lean body weight. Weight loss resulted from the loss of excess body fat.