Human Body Composition - 2nd Edition

The new edition of Human Body Composition is the most complete text in the burgeoning field of body composition research. The book covers the full range of methods to assess body composition, including dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, electrical impedance, and imaging techniques. Maintaining the focus of the first edition as a definitive research guide, this resource incorporates updated information on methods and topics of biological importance.

This thoroughly revised reference includes new material on

-molecular genetics;

-energy expenditure;

-body composition as related to various pathological states including cancer, inflammatory diseases, and illnesses associated with HIV; and

-animal body composition.

The information is presented in five logical parts along with an appendix for easy comprehension of the material. Part I presents an introduction to the field and sets the tone for the ensuing chapters. Part II provides an extensive review of the available body composition methods, including measurement cost, safety, and practicality. Part III features reviews on specific body composition components of widespread interest, adipose tissue and skeletal muscle, along with a review of body composition models. Part IV covers the biological influences on body composition such as age, ethnicity, and gender. Part V outlines pathological states related to body composition, including morbidity-mortality links.

Human Body Composition, Second Edition, provides a comprehensive account of the science behind human body composition methods. Filled with reliable and accurate information, it is an essential tool and an indispensable reference for exercise science researchers, practitioners, and graduate students who are interested in body composition.

The book contains black-and-white illustrations.

The 26 chapters in this graduate text examine the recognized methods for quantifying each of the major components at the five body composition levels, body composition models for estimating specific components and their relationships, and the factors that influence body composition. The second edition adds chapters on small animals, pregnancy, cancer, HIV, and inflammatory diseases. Annotation ©2005 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Doody Review Services

Reviewer:Dale R. Wagner, PhD(Utah State University - Brigham City)
Description:This comprehensive book on body composition addresses everything from various body composition models and measurement methodologies to variations in body composition due to biological and pathological changes. This updates the 1996 edition.
Purpose:The goal is to pull together the various topics of body composition (assessment methodologies, biological variability, etc.) into one definitive book. This is a lofty goal, but for the most part this book accomplishes the objective.
Audience:This is definitely not an introductory text, nor was it intended to be. It is written at an advanced level for graduate students and professionals who conduct body composition research. The editors are recognized as some of the worldwide leaders in this field. Additionally, each chapter is written by a specialist in the respective area of body composition research.
Features:The book covers various methods of body composition assessment and how biological variation and pathological states affect human body composition. The strength of this book is its comprehensiveness and the expertise of the chapter authors. It is the only book to give details about the science behind some rarely seen or used body composition technologies (e.g., CT and MRI scans, neutron activation analysis, etc.). Additionally, it is well referenced, and the appendix that details the composition of "reference" bodies (fetus, boy/girl, man/woman) provides the reader with normative values for just about every variable of human body composition. The only negative is that it is a difficult read; it is written at a very high comprehension level even for its intended audience of graduate students and professionals.
Assessment:This is not a "how to" manual for body composition assessment. Other books are more appropriate for undergraduate students or practitioners who are seeking a basic description of and instruction for the most commonly used body composition assessment methodologies (Heyward and Wagner, Applied Body Composition Assessment, 2nd edition (Human Kinetics, 2004). Lohman, Roche, and Martorell, Anthropometric Standardization Reference Manual (Human Kinetics, 1988). However, this advanced text picks up where these others leave off. It is the most comprehensive and definitive work on body composition available with each chapter written by the top scholars for that particular area of body composition research. Thus, it is a valuable resource for those who specialize in body composition. Much research continues to be done in the field of body composition justifying the 2005 update of the original 1996 edition.

Steven B. Heymsfield, MD, brings a broad range of experience in research to the writing of this book. He is trained in physics, chemistry, biology, and medicine, all of which relate to the measurement and study of body composition. Dr. Heymsfield is currently the executive director of clinical studies, metabolism at Merck in Rahway, New Jersey, where he oversees Merck's Clinical Obesity Research Program.

Additionally, he is a visiting scientist at the Obesity Research Center at St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital. Prior to his current position, Dr. Heymsfield was a professor of medicine at the Columbia University, New York, College of Physicians and Surgeons.

Dr. Heymsfield has conducted national and international presentations and made many contributions to publications in the field. He serves on the editorial boards of the Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, International Journal of Body Composition Research, Age & Nutrition, Nutrition Reviews, Clinical Nutrition, and Adipocytes. He is also an active member of the North American Association for the Study of Obesity and past president of both the American Society of Clinical Nutrition and the American Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition.

Timothy G. Lohman, PhD, is a leading scientist in the field of body composition assessment. A respected researcher, he explores body composition methodology and changes in body composition with growth and development, exercise, and aging. His leadership in standardization of body composition methodology is well recognized.

Dr. Lohman is a professor in the department of exercise science at the University of Arizona. He is also a fellow of the American Academy of Physical Education, a member of the American College of Sports Medicine, and a member of the Youth Fitness Advisory Committee of the Cooper Institute for Aerobics Research in Dallas, Texas. He is the author of many research articles and an editor of the Anthropometric Standardization Reference Manual, published by Human Kinetics. Dr. Lohman is also author of Advances in Body Composition Assessment.

ZiMian Wang, PhD, is an associate research scientist at Columbia University College and research associate in the Obesity Research Center of St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center. Trained in biology, biochemistry, physiology, and chemistry, he has published more than 100 research papers on the topic of human body composition.

Scott B. Going, PhD, is an associate professor in the department of nutritional sciences at the University of Arizona. An expert in body composition models and methods, he has more than 20 years of related teaching experience and research experience in this field.