Body composition (BC) is the best long-term indicator of nutritional status and it is of interest
to physicians and researchers because of its association with health status. The assessment of BC involves
the use of multicompartment models that are not readily available in clinical practice and epidemiological
research. Indirect methods, i.e. methods making use of predictive algorithms, are often used in these settings.
However, while the use of BC algorithms may be accurate at the population level, it rarely is at the individual
level. Albeit not yet a gold-standard technique, dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry holds significant promise
for the assessment BC in clinical practice and epidemiological studies. Anthropometry is the single most
universally applicable and inexpensive BC method and is of great importance because of its association with
health status. Bioelectrical impedance analysis is an indirect BC technique that may be of interest for the
study of body water distribution between extra- and intra-cellular spaces
