Standardisation of bioimpedance assessment in young children: a feasibility study of home-based body composition measurement in Danish two-year-olds

OBJECTIVE: Body composition takes a key position in monitoring obesity risk in children. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) offers a promising, non-invasive method, suitable for field use and young children. However, existing BIA protocols are not tailored to this age group, leaving a knowledge gap on procedures feasible and acceptable to children, parents, and health professionals. This study aimed to develop and assess the feasibility of implementing a standardised protocol for BIA measurements in young children.

METHODS: The settings of community health nurses (CHNs) in Denmark were used to develop a standardised protocol for BIA measurements of two-year-old children (January 2022-March 2025). Feasibility was evaluated in a community-based sample of 72 children, evaluating suitability, practicality, adaptation, resources, and acceptability.

RESULTS: The BIA protocol was developed through an iterative process exploring the children's reactions and cooperation during assessments. The final protocol was tested on 70 children (mean age 24.21 ± 1.21 months). A total of 50 children (71 %) completed the BIA measurements. CHNs reported the procedures as feasible, though challenges included child cooperation, equipment availability, and technical difficulties. Most parents (96 %) found procedures acceptable, and 79 % perceived their child accepted them.

CONCLUSIONS: This first study to develop and test a standardised BIA protocol tailored young children, demonstrates feasibility in home settings and high acceptability among parents, children, and CHNs. Although no normative BIA data exists for young children, our findings support the potential for integrating body composition monitoring into community-based early obesity prevention programmes, conditioning developmentally appropriate assessment and training health professionals.