Measurement of body composition as a surrogate evaluation of energy balance in obese patients

Table 1 Advantages and limitations of available techniques the measurement of Energy Expenditure

Technique	Advantages	Limitations
Direct calorimetry	The gold standard method for measure EE in animal models	High complexity, high cost, need to confine the subject for almost 24 h
Indirect calorimetry	The gold standard to measure REE in humans. Non invasive, adequately accurate, highly reproducible	High cost, relatively complex, need of trained personnel
Bioelectrical impedance analysis	Non invasive, simple, adequately accurate for body composition analysis, relatively inexpensive	The estimation of EE is limited by the need of obesity-specific predictive equations
Multi-sensor device	Easy and practical to use	The estimation of EE is limited by the need of obesity-specific predictive equation

EE: Energy expenditure; REE: Resting energy expenditure.