Abstract
Objective: To develop equations, from some simple anthropometric measurements, for the prediction of body density from underwater weighing in male spanish children and adolescents.
Subjects: One hundred and seventy-five males, aged 7.0–16.9 y, participated in this study, they were recruited from primary and secondary schools.
Measurements: Body weight and height and skinfold thicknesses by anthropometry, body density by underwater weighing.
Results: Correlations between body density and body mass index (BMI) were high until 14.0–16.9 y. Correlations between body density and log Σ 4 skinfolds were higher than those with BMI at all ages. Log Σ 4 skinfolds explained between 61% (14.0–16.9 y) and 68% (11.0–13.9 y) of the body density variance. Regression equations for body density from BMI and triceps skinfold thickness explained between 51% (14.0–16.9 y) and 68% (7.0–10.9 y) of the body density variance.
Conclusions: The best estimators of body density in the children and adolescents studied were log Σ 4 skinfolds and a combination of BMI and triceps skinfold.
Sponsorship: Universidad de Zaragoza
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Sarría, A., García-Llop, L., Moreno, L. et al. Skinfold thickness measurements are better predictors of body fat percentage than body mass index in male Spanish children and adolescents. Eur J Clin Nutr 52, 573–576 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1600606
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1600606
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