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Accuracy of Siri and Brozek equations in the percent body fat estimation in older adults

  • Accuracy of Siri and Brozek Equations in the Percent Body Fat Estimation in Older Adults
  • Published:
The journal of nutrition, health & aging

Abstract

Objective

To identify which equation, Siri or Brozek, based on the two compartment model, provides a more accurate conversion of body density (BD) in percent body fat (%BF) in a group of older adults.

Study design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

Research Centre in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto.

Participants

60 older adults, aged 60–92 years.

Measurements

Skinfold thickness was used to estimate BD through Visser et al. prediction equation. The conversion of BD to %BF was done with Siri (%BF-Siri) and Brozek (%BF-Brozek) formulas and these determined values were both compared to Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (%BF-DXA) evaluations.

Results

A strong correlation between the %BF-DXA value and %BF-Siri (r=0.91, p<0.001) and %BF-Brozek (r=0.91, p<0.001) was found, although %BF-Siri and %BF-Brozek overestimated %BF-DXA (p<0.001). The comparison of the %BF-Siri and %BF-Brozek mean values also revealed significant differences (p<0.001). The %BF-Brozek reflects a better agreement than the %BF-Siri with %BF-DXA with respectively a mean difference of −4.0%BF (limits of agreement = −10.9 to 2.9%) and −5.7%BF (−12.6 to 1.2). The Bland and Altman plots confirmed that %BF-Brozek reflects a better agreement with %BF-DXA.

Conclusion

The results of the present study show that the use of Brozek equation may correspond to a more accurate alternative than Siri equation for the conversion of BD in %BF in older adults.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. UISPA-IDMEC, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal

    R. S. Guerra, Teresa F. Amaral & M. T. Restivo

  2. Faculty of Nutrition and Food Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal

    Teresa F. Amaral

  3. Research Centre in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal

    E. Marques & J. Mota

  4. Faculty of Nutrition and Food Sciences, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465, Porto, Portugal

    Teresa F. Amaral

Authors
  1. R. S. Guerra
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  2. Teresa F. Amaral
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  3. E. Marques
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  4. J. Mota
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  5. M. T. Restivo
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Correspondence to Teresa F. Amaral.

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Guerra, R.S., Amaral, T.F., Marques, E. et al. Accuracy of Siri and Brozek equations in the percent body fat estimation in older adults. J Nutr Health Aging 14, 744–748 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-010-0112-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-010-0112-z

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