Frontiers in Medicine (Oct 2024)

Smartphone three-dimensional imaging for body composition assessment using non-rigid avatar reconstruction

  • Grant M. Tinsley,
  • Christian Rodriguez,
  • Christine M. Florez,
  • Madelin R. Siedler,
  • Ethan Tinoco,
  • Cassidy McCarthy,
  • Steven B. Heymsfield

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2024.1485450
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 11

Abstract

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BackgroundModern digital anthropometry applications utilize smartphone cameras to rapidly construct three-dimensional humanoid avatars, quantify relevant anthropometric variables, and estimate body composition.MethodsIn the present study, 131 participants ([73 M, 58 F] age 33.7 ± 16.0 y; BMI 27.3 ± 5.9 kg/m2, body fat 29.9 ± 9.9%) had their body composition assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and a smartphone 3D scanning application using non-rigid avatar reconstruction. The performance of two new body fat % estimation equations was evaluated through reliability and validity statistics, Bland–Altman analysis, and equivalence testing.ResultsIn the reliability analysis, the technical error of the measurement and intraclass correlation coefficient were 0.5–0.7% and 0.996–0.997, respectively. Both estimation equations demonstrated statistical equivalence with DXA based on ±2% equivalence regions and strong linear relationships (Pearson’s r 0.90; concordance correlation coefficient 0.89–0.90). Across equations, mean absolute error and standard error of the estimate values were ~ 3.5% and ~ 4.2%, respectively. No proportional bias was observed.ConclusionWhile continual advances are likely, smartphone-based 3D scanning may now be suitable for implementation for rapid and accessible body measurement in a variety of applications.

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