Talk:Air displacement plethysmography

What's the point?
I don't get the point of this product. OK, it measures body volume (minus lung volume) through air displacement using Archimedes' Principle. What I don't understand is the medical need for such a product. What are its indications? I mean, combine this thing with scales, and all you can really measure is average body density, which isn't exactly going to lend itself to a lot of meaningful conclusions. Please elaborate what benefits this test provides to a patient (apart from interacting with a lab-coat-clad actress wearing designer sandals). Thanks, --Cú Faoil (talk) 17:36, 4 October 2013 (UTC)

Importance (both for research and clinical purposes) of accurately assessing body fat and body fat free mass
Research has shown that body composition is directly related to health. A normal balance of body fat is associated with good health and longevity. Excess fat in relation to lean body mass, known as altered body composition, can greatly increase risks to cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and more. Monitoring and assessing muscle-wasting related diseases (Cachexia, Sarcopenia, etc.) Precise and accurate measurements of body composition are useful in achieving a greater understanding of human energy metabolism in physiology and in different clinical conditions, and in evaluating interventions. There are so many peer-to-peer studies showing the importance of body composition measurement. Check this for reference and further bibliography: "The Evaluation of Body Composition: A Useful Tool for Clinical Practice" Thibault R.and Pichard C. http://www.karger.com/Article/Fulltext/334879 --Petersoulrim (talk 09:37, 7 October 2013 (UTC)
 * Yes, but how is this method (which I understand measures average density, not specific composition) useful in this regard? --Cú Faoil (talk) 05:18, 26 October 2013 (UTC)