Development of equations and proposed reference values to estimate body fat mass among Chilean children and adolescents

Abstract

Introduction. The assessment of body composition is relevant to establish nutritional status and identify potential health risks. Objective. a) To develop regression equations to predict fat mass (FM) using a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry as reference method; b) to propose reference FM values based on chronological and biological age for Chilean children and adolescents. Methodology. Cross-sectional study in children and adolescents aged 5.0 to 18.9 years from the Maule Region (Chile). The sample was made up of 3593 subjects in a probabilistic fashion (stratified). Subjects' weight, standing height, sitting height, and waist circumference were assessed. Body mass index and age at peak development velocity (APGV) were estimated. Body composition (FM, fat-free mass, bone mass, and fat percentage) were established based on a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scan. Results. APGV (biological age) was 14.9 ± 0.9 years among boys and 11.5 ± 0.7 among girls. Equations were developed to estimate FM among boys and girls using chronological age, APGV, and waist circumference as predictors. Percentiles were estimated to assess FM by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and regression equations. Conclusion. Equations were acceptable to establish FM; in addition, reference values were proposed to assess FM based on chronological and biological age.

Fat-Free Mass and Bone Mineral Density of Young Soccer Players: Proposal of Equations Based on Anthropometric Variables

“…This ensured a high precision in the equations proposed for both working groups. In addition, some previous studies have reported similar R 2 values and levels of agreement for samples of children and adolescents (Cameron et al, 2004; Cossio-Bolaños et al, 2017; Gómez-Campos et al, 2017).…”

Equations based on anthropometric measurements for adipose tissue, body fat, or body density prediction in children and adolescents: a scoping review

“…Of the 77 studies that reported sample size, 35 (45.5%) met the criterion of a sample size of ten participants per predictor variable [19, 26, 54, 55, 60-62, 64-66, 68, 69, 72-75, 78, 84, 85, 88-90, 92, 93, 96, 99, 100, 102-106, 109, 111, 112]. When considering 15 participants per predictor variable, 19 studies (24.4%) met this criterion [60,62,65,66,68,69,78,84,88,92,93,96,99,100,102,[104][105][106]111] (Table S4).…”

“…An example of the divergent nomenclature in describing the same measurement is the use of suprailiac skinfold [56] and iliac crest skinfold [95], both of which refer to the skinfold thickness measured immediately above the iliac crest. As for different descriptions using the same nomenclature, the most extreme example is waist girth, which had nine different descriptions (Table S5), including measurements at the narrowest part of the torso [89], the midpoint between the lowest rib and the iliac crest [106], and the area of the greatest girth of the abdomen [113].…”