Reliability of BOD POD Measurements Remains High After a Short-Duration Low-Carbohydrate Diet.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine whether a 3-day low-carbohydrate diet affects the reliability of body composition measurements via BOD POD and skinfold analysis.
Results Summary
The study found that body composition measurements via BOD POD and skinfolds remained reliable after 3 days of a low-carbohydrate diet, despite significant decreases in body mass. No differences were observed in body fat percentage, lean body mass, or fat mass between initial and follow-up measurements in either group.
Population
24 subjects matched for lean body mass, divided into low-carbohydrate and control groups.
Effective Dosage
Less than 50 grams/day of carbohydrates for the low-carbohydrate group.
Duration
3 days
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
3-day low-carbohydrate (LC) diet | no change | body composition measures via BOD POD | subjects | - | remain reliable | #1 |
3-day low-carbohydrate (LC) diet | no change | body composition measures via 7-site skinfolds | subjects | - | remain reliable | #2 |
3-day low-carbohydrate (LC) diet | decrease | body mass | LC group | 72.9 ± 13.3 vs. 72.1 ± 13.0 kg | significant decreases | #3 |
3-day low-carbohydrate (LC) diet | decrease | body volume | LC group | 69.0 ± 12.7-68.1 ± 12.2 L | significant differences | #4 |
3-day low-carbohydrate (LC) diet | no change | BOD POD-determined body fat percentage | LC group | - | no differences | #5 |
3-day low-carbohydrate (LC) diet | no change | lean body mass | LC group | - | no differences | #6 |
3-day low-carbohydrate (LC) diet | no change | fat mass | LC group | - | no differences | #7 |
control (CON) diet | no change | BOD POD-determined body fat percentage | CON group | - | no differences | #8 |
control (CON) diet | no change | lean body mass | CON group | - | no differences | #9 |
control (CON) diet | no change | fat mass | CON group | - | no differences | #10 |
The purpose of the current study was to determine whether expected changes in body weight via a 3-day low-carbohydrate (LC) diet will disrupt the reliability of air displacement plethysmography measurements via BOD POD. Twenty-four subjects recorded their typical diets for 3 days before BOD POD and 7-site skinfold analyses. Subjects were matched for lean body mass and divided into low-CHO (LC) and control (CON) groups. The LC group was given instruction intended to prevent more than 50 grams/day of carbohydrate consumption for 3 consecutive days, and the CON group replicated their previously recorded diet. Body composition measurements were repeated after dietary intervention. Test-retest reliability measures were significant (p < .01) and high for body fat percentage in both the LC and the CON groups (rs = .993 and .965, respectively). Likewise, skinfold analysis for body fat percentage reliability was high in both groups (rs = .996 and .997, respectively). There were significant differences between 1st and 2nd BOD POD measurements for body mass (72.9 ± 13.3 vs. 72.1 ± 13.0 kg [M ± SD]) and body volume (69.0 ± 12.7-68.1 ± 12.2 L) in the LC group (p < .05). However, there were no differences (p > .05) in BOD POD-determined body fat percentage, lean body mass, or fat mass between the 1st and 2nd trial in either group. Body composition measures via BOD POD and 7-site skinfolds remain reliable after 3 days of an LC diet despite significant decreases in body mass.