Body Composition Testing

Excess body fat is associated with many health issues, including diabetes, hypertension, and orthopedic problems. By measuring body fat, and reducing it if it is too high, we may be able to prevent an individual from developing many of these health problems.

For this test, skinfolds are measured at seven sites across the body in order to determine what percentage of the current body weight is made up of fat. Our technique, performed by trained nurses, is the closest to the “gold standard” of underwater weighing for body composition measurement. This is a quick and fairly simple method of evaluation which gives better information than that obtained by weight or the body mass index (BMI) only. The resulting data allows the nurse to follow changes in both body fat and muscle as the client works to improve his or her health.