Bioimpedanssia

Bioimpedanssia, known in English as bioimpedance analysis (BIA), is a method used to estimate body composition. It involves measuring the electrical impedance of the body. A small, harmless electrical current is passed through the body, and the device measures the resistance or impedance to this current. Different tissues in the body have different water content and thus different conductivity. Fat tissue, for example, has a lower water content and higher impedance than muscle tissue, which is rich in water and electrolytes. By analyzing the impedance, along with other user-provided data such as height, weight, age, and sex, BIA devices can estimate various body composition parameters. These typically include body fat percentage, lean body mass, total body water, and sometimes basal metabolic rate. BIA is a non-invasive and relatively inexpensive technique, making it accessible for widespread use in clinical settings, fitness centers, and even for home use. However, the accuracy of BIA can be influenced by several factors, including hydration levels, recent food intake, exercise, and the specific BIA device used. It is important to note that BIA provides an estimation rather than a direct measurement and should be interpreted with these limitations in mind.