Issue 11/2025
Ivanov1, P., Tafradjiiska Hadjiolova1, R., Handjieva-Darlenska2, T.
1 Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University – Sofia
2 Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University – Sofia
Changes in body weight lead to specific functional consequences for the organism but body mass index (BMI) does not always reflect an individual’s metabolic status. Body composition methods add clarity by assessing the quantity and distribution of tissues, with fat and muscle being the most physiologically active compartments. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is a fast, accessible, and low-cost alternative for measuring these components the body. Adiposity-related indices – body fat percentage, visceral fat and fat mass index are well studied and consistently linked to adverse metabolic profiles typical for the pathogenesis of obesity, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, hypertension, and other conditions. In recent years attention has shifted toward muscle-related parameters – fat-free mass, skeletal muscle mass and specifically appendicular skeletal muscle mass. Another BIA-derived metric – the phase angle, reflects the structural integrity and functional state of cell membranes.
Despite heterogeneity in the literature, the accumulating results point to the future potential of these parameters as predictors of laboratory markers related to glycemia, lipid profile, and hepatic metabolism.
Key words: obesity, body composition, bioimpedance, metabolic profile, phase angle, appendicular skeletal muscle mass
Address of correspondence:
Dr. P. Ivanov
Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology,
Faculty of Medicine, Medical University – Sofia
1 „St. Georgi Sofiyski“, Str.
1431, Sofia
e-mail: p.ivanov@medfac.mu-sofia.bg