| For the Individual
Individualized
Nutrition Counseling | Body Composition Analysis | Metabolic Analysis | Weight Management | Wellness Coaching | Diabetes Care
Body Composition Analysis
Get a Grip on Your Body Composition!
Be sure to check out our Discounted Group Packages and learn how you can get a FREE Body Composition Analysis. HealthSteps Rx will travel to your office for groups of 4 or more. Credit cards welcomed.
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| What is included in Body Composition Analysis? |
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Body Composition Analysis includes all the following:
- Body Composition Analysis: % Fat, pounds of fat, fat-free mass (LBM), total body water
- Desirable Body Composition for your gender and age
- Desirable Body Weight based on your LBM
- Explanation of the Analysis
- Nutrition and Physical Activity Guidelines
Pricing
HealthSteps Rx’s BIA
“Get a Grip” Rates:
Individual: |
$35.00 per test |
Groups of 2 to 6: |
$25.00 per test |
Groups of 7 or more: |
$20.00 per test |
Check
out our Individualized
Nutrition Counseling that
includes a FREE Body Composition
Analysis.
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| What is Body Composition? |
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 Body composition is simply the amount of lean body mass and body fat that makes up total body weight. The lean body mass (LBM) includes the bones, muscles, water, connective and organ tissues. Body fat includes both essential and non-essential fat stores. Essential fat includes organs and tissues such as nerves, lungs, liver, brain, and mammary glands. The non-essential fat is primarily within adipose tissue.
Find out how HealthSteps Rx's measures body composition
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| Why do I need my body composition analyzed? |
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Total weight on is own is of little importance and far too many people base their diet regimen on what they see on the bathroom scale. Irrespective of total weight, if lean and fat proportions are within established recommended limits then one has a significantly reduced risk of suffering from many health problems associated with being “over fat.” These are
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol levels
- Arteriosclerosis
- Coronary disease
- Respiratory problems
- Kidney disorders and more..
Equally serious, however, is the problem of having too little body fat since adipose tissue is vital for normal organ function. The dramatic increase in anorexia nervosa, bulimia and a “fear of obesity” over the last decade demands an awareness of correct body composition.
It is clear then that the total body weight does not provide an accurate reflection of an individual’s state of health. A weight-lifter may be classified as seriously over-weight, according to standard height/weight tables but yet have perfect body composition. Conversely, a person may have a “normal” weight according to standard tables and yet be over-fat.
If you are embarking on a weight loss program, it is essential that you are aware of your Body Composition.
Often, diets will result in loss of mostly lean body tissue and water. By tracking your body fat, you can closely monitor what body composition changes are actually happening. Just knowing how many pounds you have lost is insufficient. The goal of any weight control program needs to involve adjusting a person’s exercise and dietary habits to reach the ideal percentage of body fat. |
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| How is it measured? |
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HealthSteps Rx measures body fat composition using the Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) method.
The physical principle behind the BIA technique is that the body’s lean compartment, comprising approximately 60-75% electrolytic water, conducts electricity far better than the body’s fat compartment which is very low in body water content (between 5-10%). These two compartments have, therefore, very different impedance (or resistance) values to a high-frequency electrical signal. The signal impedance measurement reflects the degree of resistance to the flow of current in the body, water being a good conductor but fat a bad conductor.
So, this technique is essentially an index of total body water, from which fat-free mass is estimated. |
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| What is the procedure for obtaining BIA? |
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You will remove any metallic objects that you may be wearing. You will remove your shoes and socks only. While in a lying position, self-adhesive disposable electrodes are placed on your right hand and two on your right foot. Clips are attached to the electrodes, a battery-generated signal is passed through the body and an impedance value is produced.
This value, together with other details of age, height, weight, and gender are used to analyze the data and within three seconds produces a comprehensive personal body composition statistical analysis. |
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| What are the BIA testing conditions? |
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These testing conditions are designed to avoid increases or decreases in body water content that could result in a less accurate measurement:
- Avoid vigorous exercise, preferably 8-12 hours prior to the test
- Avoid alcohol, preferably within 24-48 hours of the test
- Avoid eating or drinking, at least two hours prior to the test
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| Where can I learn more about BIA? |
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| For an overview of Body Impedance Analysis (BIA) technology and other methods of Body Composition Measurement, please visit this exciting interactive tutorial: http://nutrition.uvm.edu/bodycomp/bia/ HealthSteps Rx has been given kind permission to add this link to the website by the authors, at the University of Vermont, Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, USA. |
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| Safety and Accuracy |
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Safety
The BIA Method is risk-free! It sends an extremely weak electrical current - (50 kHz) that is painless, safe, and non-detectable. Only those who have a pacemaker or other internal device should not undergo BIA.
Accuracy
As long as the BIA Testing Conditions are maintained, BIA is accurate and highly reproducible. This is unlike the skinfold caliper where the skill of the technician, the accuracy of the calipers, the placement of the caliper during measurement, and the individual’s fat patterns can cause errors greater than 5%. In addition, body fat scales in which people stand on, or devices where the person grasps the handles of the device, are NOT accurate, and could lead to inappropriate treatment. In clients who have varying body water contents, BIA may not give an accurate body fat measurement. However, BIA is still a good method for monitoring CHANGES in body fat in these individuals. Clients who may have varying body water contents include: the elderly, children, body-builders, athletes, individuals with illness, individuals experiencing swelling, individuals who have osteoporosis, women who are pregnant, or individuals undergoing dialysis. |
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