Author Spotlight: Advancements in 3D Optical Imaging for Comprehensive Body Composition Assessment in Modern Research

The scope of our research is the assessment of body size, shape, and composition through innovative technologies for three-dimensional optical imaging. Body composition field is more than 100 years old, and many methods have been extensively evaluated. The most recent advances are in the area of 3D optical imaging, which provides a refined and accessible approach to evaluating body size, shape, and composition.

One important question is if 3D optical imaging methods can be successfully implemented on a wide scale, given the importance of proper lighting and attire. Most advanced methods, such as MRI, still have bottlenecks due to the need for automated analysis software. Three-dimensional optical scanning is relatively inexpensive, radiation-free, non-invasive, and faster than other investigations commonly adopted in research and clinical settings for body size and composition assessment.

Among the many new questions, the methods we introduce will put forth the question of what body shapes are associated with various disease states and with what genetic mechanisms.