In recent times, the use of smartphones has transcended conventional communication and entertainment. The potential for these handheld devices to double as medical instruments is being realized more each day, especially in the realm of nutritional health and body composition analysis. A newly published study in Clinical Nutrition ESPEN sheds light on the effectiveness of a commercially available smartphone application designed for personal use in evaluating body composition against its original variant intended for point-of-care clinical use.
Methodology: Direct Comparisons with clinical benchmarks
In a pioneering study authored by Graybeal AJ, Brandner CF, Compton AT, Swafford SH, Henderson A, Aultman R, Vallecillo-Bustos A, and Stavres J from the School of Kinesiology and Nutrition at the University of Southern Mississippi, a total of 123 apparently healthy participants (69 females, 54 males; average age: 28.1±11.3 years; BMI: 26.9±5.9) underwent back-to-back body composition analysis utilizing a 3D smartphone application—MeThreeSixty (MTS)—and its stationary equivalent—the Mobile Fit Booth (MFB).
Key Findings: Agreements and discrepancies
The study put forward several essential findings. When contrasted with the data from the Mobile Fit Booth (MFB), the MeThreeSixty (MTS) application was found to overestimate most body measurements, with the exception of waist circumference. The root mean square error (RMSE) hovered around 2.5% for body fat percentage calculations. The discrepancies in body circumference measurements ranged between 0.64-3.74 centimeters, within limb length evaluations 0.71-2.3 kilograms for lean mass estimations, and from 126-659 square centimeters for surface area measurements.
To ascertain the congruence between the smartphone application and its clinical counterpart, Bland-Altman analyses, and linear regression tests were employed for all measurements. Equivalence testing provided further insight, particularly concerning limb length and circumference measures.
Implications for clinical and personal use
The data from this expansive study demonstrate a noteworthy agreement between 3D anthropometric smartphone applications for clinical practice and personal applications, particularly for whole-body composition estimates and body circumferences with clinical relevance. The researchers suggest that, given the advantages of commercially available remote applications such as accessibility and convenience, both health practitioners and consumers might consider utilizing them as an alternative to clinical practice tools. However, a degree of caution is advised regarding the evident overestimation concerns.
Tech-based solutions in the medical field
This study’s insights represent a significant step in embracing technology to enhance health and nutrition monitoring. Smartphone-derived measurements offer the possibility of remote, real-time tracking of an individual’s health parameters, thus facilitating immediate feedback and possibly encouraging better health practices among consumers.
Considerations for application usage
Despite showing a fair agreement in their findings, the slight overestimation suggests that certain refinements in the calibration and algorithms of the MeThreeSixty application may be necessary to achieve a seamless sync with the clinically accustomed standards set by Mobile Fit Booth. Individuals and professionals who opt to use these applications should be mindful of these small differences, especially when precision is crucial for the management of health conditions related to body composition.
The future of healthcare: A digital revolution
The study is groundbreaking as it suggests a future where telehealth can advance to include reliable personal monitoring of anthropometric data, potentially revolutionizing the way routine checks and nutritional consultancy are conducted. The findings, published online on January 16, 2024, have been made accessible with the DOI: 10.1016/j.clnesp.2023.11.021, and the full reference can be found in the journal Clinical Nutrition ESPEN (S2405-4577(23)02220-9).
References
1. Clinical Nutrition ESPEN. (2024, February). Smartphone derived anthropometrics: Agreement between a commercially available smartphone application and its parent application intended for use at point-of-care. 59, 107-112. DOI: 10.1016/j.clnesp.2023.11.021.
2. Graybeal, A. J., Brandner, C. F., Compton, A. T., Swafford, S. H., Henderson, A., Aultman, R., … & Stavres, J. (2023). Smartphone Applications for Body Composition: A New Era in Personal Health Monitoring.
3. Kvedar, J., Coye, M. J., & Everett, W. (2014). Connected health: a review of technologies and strategies to improve patient care with telemedicine and telehealth. Health Affairs, 33(2), 194-199.
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5. Villar, R., & Beltrán, A. (2012). Accuracy of anthropometric measurements: The key to valid body composition assessment in competitive sport. Sports Medicine, 42(9), 779-786.
Keywords
1. Smartphone Applications Health
2. Body Composition Analysis
3. Remote Monitoring Anthropometrics
4. 3D Scanning Body Fat
5. Point-of-Care Technology Health
The publication of this study comes as a testament to the growing integration between technology and healthcare, informing both the scientific community and the public on the possibilities of cutting-edge applications in everyday health management. The ongoing development and refinement of such tools could soon become an essential facet of both personal wellness and clinical practice.
Researchers involved in the study declare no conflict of interest, emphasizing the principled progress in their investigation aimed at empowering individuals and medical practitioners with more precise and convenient healthcare strategies.