Are Lean Body Mass and Fat-Free Mass the Same or Different Body Components? A Critical Perspective.

ABSTRACT: The 2-component molecular-level model dividing body mass into fat and fat-free mass (FFM) is a cornerstone of contemporary body composition research across multiple disciplines. Confusion prevails, however, as the term lean body mass (LBM) is frequently used interchangeably with FFM in scientific discourse. Are LBM and FFM the same or different body components? Captain Albert R. Behnke originated the LBM concept in 1942 and he argued that his "physiological" LBM component included "essential" fat or structural lipids whereas FFM is a chemical entity "free" of fat. Classical experimental animal and human studies conducted during Behnke's era laid the foundation for the widely used body density and total body water 2-component molecular-level body composition models. Refined body composition

SUBMITTER: Heymsfield SB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11625996 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature