BOD POD

Profil uses the BOD POD® to provide highly accurate body composition results. We also use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) to draw conclusions about the body fat distribution. This allows us to differentiate between fat depots in terms of subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue and make organ-specific assessments. These are essential in diabetes clinical research because fat deposits in different organs have different metabolic impact. For example, liver fat content is an important predictor for the risk of developing diabetes.

Our methodology also includes general anthropometric measures (e.g., body weight, height, waist circumference) and the subsequent calculation of indices such as the body mass index (BMI) and the waist-to-height-ratio (WHtR). All these provide useful population-level measures of weight and (abdominal) obesity.

These various methods of assessing body composition enable the conduct of clinical trials focusing on body adiposity or fat distribution (the differentiation between fat depots in the body) as a primary focus or as a means to improve glycemic control or other significant comorbidities.

The BOD POD is a highly accurate device air displacement plethysmograph that is used to measure body composition. It is able to detect even small changes in body fat and lean body mass (i.e., muscle, bones and organs) and it allows close monitoring of obesity, one of the major risk factor for diseases like stroke and diabetes. Body composition study can provide insights into the specific effects of intervention programs, such as nutrition and exercise programs, but it also supports the assessment of drug effects in clinical trials.

The determination of body composition is an essential tool to make reliable predictions regarding topics such as the current fitness of a subject, the subject’s individual risk for the development of metabolic diseases, and the success of a specific weight-loss intervention.