Body composition is a marker for health in the same way as blood pressure, cholesterol or blood sugar. It is a concept that refers to the proportion of different components in the human body such as fat, muscle, bone and water. An excessive proportion of fat compared to muscle can lead to an increased risk of chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease and certain cancers. Low muscle mass is associated with age, physical inactivity, inadequate diet, sudden weight loss, chronic diseases and inflammatory conditions among others. It is highly prevalent in the elderly but also exists in younger adults and it is important to detect it early as it leads to increased risk of falls, conditions of dependency and poorer quality of life in general, feeling tired, increased infections, insulin resistance and poorer recovery from illness. Muscle mass and bone mass are also closely related, so maintaining a healthy composition can help prevent bone loss and osteoporosis. In a sporting environment, knowing the ratio of the components and monitoring them is important to increase performance and to be able to set targets according to the discipline practised. Bioimpedance is the most widely used technique for analysis; it is based on the body’s ability to conduct an electrical current; it is painless and takes a few minutes. There are several types, ranging from simple scales to complex technology such as direct segmental multi-frequency technology which has achieved the highest level of accuracy and reliability to date, a method of choice endorsed by scientists and publications worldwide. Knowing your body composition is a crucial aspect of your health and well-being, so it is important to consider having a regular body composition assessment.

In our Internal Medicine and Nutrition department we offer a medical-nutritional assessment with body composition determination using the latest bioimpedance technology used in hospitals and research studies. We assess your state of health by means of a medical history and a body composition analysis and we offer appropriate medical-nutritional advice to achieve the proposed objectives.

Dr. Marina Caballé , specialist in Internal Medicine, Internal Medicine Department and NutritionForum Mare Nostrum