2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
1-040 Li Ka Shing Centre, University of Alberta, Oborowsky Degner Seminar Hall (1-040) , Edmonton
Body composition assessment plays a pivotal role in nutrition research by identifying individuals at increased
disease risk as well as monitoring the effectiveness of treatments or interventions. Dr. Bennett will discuss
the equipment recently acquired at the HNRU. Assessment tools range in size, cost, complexity, and
invasiveness, limiting the availability of body composition collection to further guide interventions or quantify
outcomes. Recently developed 3-dimensional optical (3DO) systems provide a novel and accessible solution
to monitoring body composition change, in addition to a number of key advantages in research and clinical
practice, with the possibility to integrate these measurements into smartphone technologies for self-guided
monitoring. However, this technique is still in its infancy and therefore may be inaccurate or invalid in certain
settings. This lecture covers the practical and clinical advantages of the 3DO technique as well as potential
pitfalls and limitations of this approach that will provide clinicians and researchers with a more
comprehensive overview of how, when, and if 3DO is a viable tool for their needs.
About Our Guest Speaker
Dr. Jonathan Bennett’s research focuses on the technical aspects of body composition assessment
technologies. His PhD research identifies the qualities and capabilities of assessment technologies for the
assessment of nutrition status and disease risk. His current research identifies specific components of body
composition and their role in disease prevention, risk, and/or progression. His studies range in populations
from infants (0-5y) to older adults with functional decline, including specialized populations such as athletes
and patients with obesity or cancer. His current efforts focus on how targeting specific aspects of body
composition can impact disease risk and treatment.
Dr. Bennett received his MSc in Kinesiology (California State University, Long Beach) and PhD in Nutrition
(University of Hawai’i at Manoa) and is currently a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Hawai’i Cancer
Center. His work has been recognized at national and international conferences and working groups; he
also serves as a topic expert for the International Atomic Energy Agency and is on the Scientific Advisory
Board of the International Body Composition Symposium conference.
For information about the equipment, please visit Styku at https://www.styku.com/.
Hosted by the Human Nutrition Research Unit.
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