Final answer:
Methods for assessing body fat and composition include DEXA, Bod Pod, Hydrostatic weighing, and Skinfold measurements. DEXA measures bone density and fat content, whereas Bod Pod and Hydrostatic weighing calculate body composition through volume displacement. Skinfold measurements estimate body fat percentage using calipers, and BMI and waist circumference are simpler indicators of body fatness and distribution.
Step-by-step explanation:
Assessing body fatness and body composition is crucial for understanding an individual's health status and risks for certain diseases. The correct answer to the methods for assessing body fat and composition is option C) DEXA (Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry), Bod Pod, Hydrostatic weighing, and Skinfold measurements. Each of these methods has its unique way of measuring body composition:
- DEXA uses two low-dose X-ray beams passed through the body to assess bone density and estimate fat content through the amount of energy absorbed by bone, lean tissue mass, and fat mass.
- Bod Pod measures body volume through air displacement to calculate body density and, subsequently, body composition.
- Hydrostatic weighing, also known as underwater weighing, determines body density by measuring the amount of water displaced by the body.
- Skinfold measurements involve using calipers to measure the thickness of skinfolds at various body sites to estimate body fat percentage.
BMI (Body Mass Index), which is calculated from height and weight, and waist circumference are simpler tools that provide insights into body fatness and fat distribution, respectively. However, it's important to note that BMI has limitations as it does not distinguish between fat mass and muscle mass and does not account for fat distribution.