• What is assessed?
• How is the measurement conducted?
• When is this method used?
• How are estimates of body composition derived?
• Strength and limitations
• Populations
• Further considerations
• Resources required
• Instrument library
• Development of new tool/method
• References

Air displacement plethysmography (ADP) is a two-component model that assesses mass and volume and therefore an estimation of body density (D_b). From this, body density derived from mass divided by volume can provide estimation of fat and fat-free mass (FFM).

The trade name for this method is BOD POD and PEA POD (Life measurement, Inc, Concord, CA), which are systems that uses Poisson’s Law to determine body volume. ADP offers several advantages over established reference methods, like underwater weighing, including a quick, comfortable, automated, noninvasive, and safe measurement process, and accommodates various body types. The range of error is ± 1 to 2.7%.

The process is divided into three steps: measurement of mass, volume and thoracic gas volume.

1. Mass measurement

Weight is measured using a very precise, integrated electronic scale.

2. Body volume measurement

Poisson’s Law describes the pressure – volume relations under conditions that allow gains and losses of temperature and pressure (unlike Boyles law) during expansion and compression whilst the heat content of the air remains constant. The BOD POD contains two chambers, a test chamber and a reference chamber connected by a diaphragm. Oscillations produce pressure changes in the chambers and the ratio of the pressures is a measure of test chamber volume.

Some of the volume of air, however, is still maintained under isothermal conditions that must still be accounted for, for example air contained in the lungs (thoracic gas volume) or near skin/hair and clothing (surface area artefact, SSA). For this reason, tight fitting clothing is worn along with a swimming hat. The estimate of SSA is automatically generated by the instrument.

Thoracic gas volume may be directly measured, retrieved from a previous test, predicted (using a standard prediction equation), or entered manually.

The measurement of body volume by BOD POD involves the following steps:

1. A 2-point calibration process starting with the empty chamber to establish a baseline volume and then with a 50L calibration cylinder.
2. The participant’s volume in the chamber is then measured, not corrected for thoracic gas volume of SSA.
3. The participant’s volume is then repeated to check that the measurements are within 0.2% or 150ml agreement. If the first two measurements are inconsistent a third measurement is performed.
4. The body volume is then corrected for thoracic volume (either measured, predicted [Crapo et al, 1982], or entered manually).

Pre-test Guidelines

Participants must not eat or engage in strenuous exercise for at least 2 hours before the scheduled appointment and should wear minimal, form fitting clothing and use a swimming cap to be worn during the test.

Figure 1 provides an illustration of the BOD POD used for adults (a smaller modified version is used for children and Figure 2 shows the PEA POD used for measuring body composition in infants up to 10kg (taking only 2 minutes).

Figure 1 Image of BOD POD.
Source: Addenbrooke's Clinical Research Centre NIHR/Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Facility & NIHR Clinical Investigation Ward, Addenbrookes Hospital Cambridge; University of Cambridge Department of Paediatrics.

Figure 2 Image of PEA POD.
Source: Addenbrooke's Clinical Research Centre NIHR/Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Facility & NIHR Clinical Investigation Ward, Addenbrookes Hospital Cambridge; University of Cambridge Department of Paediatrics.

ADP is recognized as a reference method for overall body composition, because of its ease of use and high level of accuracy. If each test is performed correctly according to the recommended guidelines, it is as accurate as hydrostatic (underwater) weighing, but quicker and easier to perform. It is available in some research laboratories, athletic, military, university and health and wellness settings throughout the world. It is normally employed in validation studies and used with other techniques to determine 4-component models.

Using ADP, body composition is predicted from known densities of soft tissue. The density of fat is 0.9kg/L and FFM is 1.2kg/L (taken from cadaver studies). Therefore, by calculating the density of the whole body using mass/volume from the BOD POD, we can calculate how much of the body is fat. A commonly used equation which translates whole body density to percent body fat is the Siri equation:

Percent Fat = [495/Density] - 450

Once whole body density and fat mass is obtained, the remaining can be associated with FFM:

Percent FFM = 100 - Percent Fat

There are different equations for different ethnicities and children.
An alternative equation for the prediction of body fat in a Caucasian population is Brozek. Schutte et al have derived equations based on black ethnic origins. While, equations for body density in children can be found in Lohman’s review (see references).

An overview of the characteristics of air displacement plethysmography is outlined in Table 1.

Table 1 Characteristics of air displacement plethysmography.

Considerations relating to the use of air displacement plethysmography are summarised by population in Table 2.

Table 2 Anthropometry by air displacement plethysmography in different populations.

1. Compared to underwater weighing, the BOD POD does not require getting wet and is suitable for special populations such as infants, children, obese, elderly and disabled persons. Residual lung volume measurements are not needed like underwater weighing.
2. Hydration status can adversely affect calculation results.
3. Excessive movement can introduce large error so it is essential to ensure the subject sits still and breathes normally.
4. The test does not identify the exact parts of the body where the fat is located.
5. The BOD POD technology is fundamentally the same as underwater (hydrostatic) weighing, but uses air instead of water.
6. Ensure calibration is carried out every time the equipment is in use. Both the scale and chamber need to be calibrated.
7. Clothing restrictions maybe of some concerns for individuals as to ensure accuracy, participants need to wear a swim cap and tightfitting swimsuit.
8. The size of the chamber may be restrictive for very large individuals.

Refer to section: practical considerations for objective anthropometry

1. BOD POD is approximately $35,000
2. PEA POD system is considerably more at approximately $112,000 due to limited manufacturing

A method specific instrument library is being developed for this section. In the meantime, please refer to the overall instrument library page by clicking here to open in a new page.

Previously, obtaining reliable infant body composition data has been difficult, with available methods limited by inaccuracy, practicality, invasiveness, and safety. The PEA POD has solved some of these issues by offering more accurate and precise measurements of infant (up to 10kg) body fat and fat-free mass quickly (2 mins), safely, and comfortably using its patented and proven air displacement plethysmography. However, the use of this technique for longitudinal assessment of body composition between 1 and 4 years of age might still be limited due to the practical constraints mentioned above.

1. Brozek, J., et al., Densitometric Analysis of Body Composition: Revision of Some Quantitative Assumptions. Ann N Y Acad Sci, 110: p. 113-40.
2. Crapo, R.O., et al., Lung volumes in healthy nonsmoking adults. Bull Eur Physiopathol Respir, 18(3): p. 419-25.
3. Deierlein AL, Thornton J, Hull H, Paley C, Gallagher D: An anthropometric model to estimate neonatal fat mass using air displacement plethysmography Nutr Metab (London) 2012: 9;21
4. Dempster P, Aitkens S: A new air displacement method for the determination of human body composition.Med Sci Sports Exerc 1995: 27;1692
5. Ellis KJ, Yao M, Shypalio RJ, Urlando A, Wong WW, Heird WC: Body composition assessment in infancy: air-displacement plethysmography compared with a reference 4-compartment model Am J Clin Nutr 2007: 85; 90
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8. Lohman, T.G., Skinfolds and body density and their relation to body fatness: a review. Hum Biol, 53(2): p. 181-225.
9. Maddalozzo GF, Cardinal BJ, Snow CA: Concurrent validity of the BOD POD and dual energy x-ray absorptiometry techniques for assessing body composition in young women. J Am Diet Assoc. 2002; 102: 1677
10. McCrory MA, Gomez TD, Bernauer EM, Molé PA: Evaluation of a new air displacement plethysmograph for measuring human body compositionMed Sci Sports Exerc 1995: 27; 1686
11. Siri, W.E., Body composition from fluid spaces and density: analysis of methods. 1961. Nutrition, 1993. 9(5): p. 480-91; discussion 480, 492.
12. Schutte, J.E., et al., Density of lean body mass is greater in blacks than in whites. J Appl Physiol Respir Environ Exerc Physiol, 56(6): p. 1647-9.
13. Utter AC, Goss FL, Swan PD, Harris GS, Robertson RJ, Trone GA: Evaluation of air displacement for assessing body composition of collegiate wrestlers. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2003: 35; 500
14. Urlando A: A new air displacement plethysmograph for the measurement of body composition in infants Pediatr Research 2003: 53; 486