Table 2.

Body composition evaluation methods

	Ability to assess FM and FFM	Ability to assess fat regional distribution	Precision and accuracy in measuring VAT	Use of ionizing radiation
Circumferences	Yes	Yes	Low	No
Skinfold thickness	Yes	Yes	Low	No
Ultrasound	No	Yes	Low	No
Hydrostatic weighing densitometry	Yes	No	High	No
Air displacement plethysmography	Yes	No	High	No
Bioelectrical impedance analysis	Yes	No	Medium	No
Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry	Yes	Partially	High	Yes
Computed Tomography	Yes	Yes	Gold standard	Yes
Magnetic Resonance Imaging	Yes	Yes	Gold standard	No

Most used methods to evaluate body composition

FM, fat mass; FFM, fat-free mass; VAT, visceral adipose tissue