ASMBS Review of Body Composition

This review explores body composition, modern adiposity measurement methods, changes post-bariatric surgery, and guidance for integrating these measurements into clinical practice.

Introduction

Although the body mass index (BMI) has been used as a measure of obesity for decades, it is now possible to measure adiposity more directly with technologies that can quantitate body fat and other tissues. The purpose of this review is to understand body composition, describe the different ways to measure it, review changes in body composition after metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS), and provide guidance on how providers can introduce measurements of body composition into their everyday practice.

Authors

  • Jonathan Carter, MD
  • Farah Husain, MD
  • Pavlos Papasavas, MD
  • Salvatore Docimo, DO
  • Vance Albaugh, MD
  • Laura Aylward, PhD
  • Cynthia Blalock, MSN
  • Sue Benson-Davies, PhD