Relationship between bioelectrical impedance-derived estimates of basal metabolic rate and body composition parameters in female Korean college students

Measurements of basal metabolic rate (BMR) and body composition parameters represent an important tool for preventing obesity. This investigation examined the relationships between bioelectrical impedance-derived estimates of BMR and various body composition parameters, including age, body mass index, intracellular water, extracellular water, protein content, mineral content, fat mass, osseous content and waist-to-hip ratio. The subjects included Korean female college students (N=717) aged 18–26 years, who visited the sport medicine laboratory at Seoul Women’s University in 2013. The BM Rand body composition parameters were indirectly measured using a bioelectrical impedance device, and the correlations between the BM Rand other variables were analysed. The BMR showed a significant negative correlation with age (r=-0.284, p<0.001);but significant positive correlations with body mass index (r=0.477, p<0.001), intracellular water (r=0.803, p<0.001), extracellular water (r=0.205, p<0.001), protein content (r=0.991, p<0.001), mineral content (r=0.093, p=0.013), fat mass (r=0.234, p<0.001), osseous content (r=0.962, p<0.001), and waist-to-hip ratio (r=0.217, p<0.001). Based on these findings, all body composition parameters correlated with the BMR in this population. Improvement of body composition parameters may lead to an increased BMR, thus this could provide an effective means for preventing obesity. Key words: Basal Metabolic Rate; Extracellular water; Fat mass; Intracellular water; Mineral, osseous and protein content; Waist-to-hip ratio