BVI - Automated System for Body Fat Assessment For Individuals And Population Monitoring

Richard Barnes conceived and patented the idea of Body Volume Measurement combining 3D data with the calculation of total and visceral fat using algorithms to be applied to healthcare, obesity management and weight loss management using mobile devices. The patent is now separately granted in 30 EU countries and in the US. BMI is preferred because it is easy and low cost to interpret whereas MRI and CT, the gold standard for quantification of fat levels and distribution are slow and expensive. However, BMI does not give a proper indication of fat distribution particularly visceral fat i.e. the fat stored around the body organs. Select Research's technique known as BVI measures the body volume from two photographs of the front and side of the patient wearing tight fitting clothes. Algorithms analyse the photographs and based on gender, age, ethnicity, weight and height and utilising a library of MRI scans can accurately predict ±3% for adults the total body fat and its distribution including visceral fat with an accuracy of ±5% within 1 minute. The technology can be used both in the home or primary health clinic and shows whether a person has excessive visceral fat and is at risk.