CNHP 7109 - Body Composition Assessment

3 Credit Hours
Prerequisites: Graduate student in BFLCONHP or consent of instructor.
Description
Assessment of body weight, body dimensions, and body composition is of considerable interest to those working in the health professions, as the information derived from these assessments is associated with health risks. In addition, the health professional’s ability to accurately plot changes in body composition over time is important for determining whether the patient/client is changing in a way that reduces or increases health risk. There are numerous strategies for assessing body dimensions and composition, ranging from weight/height growth charts used with children, to skinfolds, and to more sophisticated analysis techniques that involve bioelectrical impedance and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. This course will review both the historical and new methods available to health professionals for the assessment of body dimensions and body composition, with special emphasis on the strengths and weaknesses of each technique and how these techniques may be appropriately used with the client/patient.