Relative Fat Mass as an estimator of whole-body fat percentage among children and adolescents: A cross-sectional study using NHANES

Woolcott, Orison O.; Bergman, Richard N.

doi:10.1038/s41598-019-51701-z

Cited by 37 publications

(58 citation statements)

References 52 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…This would justify the increasing values of RFMp in the normal, overweight and obese groups; again, this no difference occurs with BMI Z scores in both boys and girls. The median RFMp was significantly higher in girls than in boys, sharing the same classificatory BMI range in all groups (regardless of the BMI category), which is probably in agreement with the higher fat content in girls at this age [22], consequently giving an idea of abdominal fat.…”

Section: Multiple Linear Regressionsupporting

confidence: 73%

“…Because there is no definition of obesity based on body fat percentage, we used NHANES data matched to DXA as a reference (22), where figures greater than 29% for boys and 41% girls would indicate high body fat percentage. In our sample, values very close to the nutritional groups defining limits were obtained (Table 1), indicating the association of overweight with greater abdominal adiposity (trunk fat).…”

Section: Interventionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As mentioned, Woolcott and Bergman [21] derived an equation from adult height/waist for estimation of whole-body fat percentage and later developed an equation for children and adolescents [22], which was assessed according to DXA values. The novelty of this estimator is the sex consideration, which decreases the rate of misclassification of relative fat mass due to a more precise diagnosis of obesity/adiposity in females.…”

Section: Relative Fat Mass-pediatric (Rfmp)mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…RFM better predicts whole-body fat percentage measured by DXA in males and females. RFM was developed in a large study on adults [21] RFM-pediatric (RFMp) has been developed also [22]. RFMp is also an estimator of fat mass percentage based on the height/waist ratio with the presumed advantage of considering sexes separately and has exhibited close agreement with DXA measurements.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Estimating trunk fat in children according to sex using basic somatic readings: an opportunity for improving evaluation among girls

Benavent

Pérez‐Fernández

2021

BMC Pediatr

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background The fat mass estimators waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) and relative fat mass—pediatric (RFMp) complement the widely accepted body mass index (BMI) in obesity evaluation. Aims of the Study: Conduct an easy appraisal of trunk fat and the cardiometabolic risk associated with pediatric obesity. Methods A total of 472 children (39% boys in the total sample) were classified as underweight, normal weight, overweight or obese (nutritional groups, NGs) according to BMI Z-score after initial anthropometric data were obtained and ad hoc exclusion criteria were applied. WHtR and RFMp (% of total fat) were calculated for each group, associations were assessed through multiple linear regression (MLR), and differences between sexes were evaluated (medians, IQR). Results The mean age (mean (95% CI)) was 10.8 y (10.1–11.1). The values in the total sample were as follows: WHtR, 0.5 (0.49–0.51) and RFMp%, 32.3 (31.7–33.0). In the overweight group, the values were as follows: WHtR, 0.51 (0.50–0.52) and RFMp(%), 34.2 (33.3–35.1). In the obese group, the values were as follows: WHtR, 0.56 (0.55–0.57) and RFMp(%), 37.8 (36.9–38.6). The associations were as follows (NG; independent variables): In the NG, adjusted R2 values were between 0.74 and 0.78. In the total sample, the beta coefficient was 3.36 (P < 0.001) for RFMp for girls; for waist circumference (WC), the beta coefficient was 2.97 (P < 0.001), and for WHtR the beta coefficients were − 0.01 (p < 0.001) and 0.03 (p < 0.001),for girls and for WC respectively. The sex differences were as follows: BMI exhibited no differences in the NG (Mann-Whitney U). WHtR (median (IQR)) differed (M vs. F) in the total sample (0.49 (0.45–0.54) vs. 0.52 (0.45–0.56), p < 0.004); in the overweight group (0.51 (0.48–0.53) vs. 0.54 (0.51–0.55), p < 0.001); and in the obese group (0.55 (0.52–0.57) vs. 0.57 (0.54–0.60), p < 0.004). RFMp (%) differed in the total group (29.21 (24.27–32.92) vs. 36.63 (30.2–39.51), p < 0.001); in the overweight group (31.24 (28.35–32.35) vs. 37.95 (35.75–38.82), p < 0.001) and in the obese group (35.89 (32.05–36.15) vs. 40.63 (38.27–42.42), p < 0.001). Conclusions WHtR and RFMp are simple and reliable indices that do not require centile charts. Their values, including waist circumference, can be used to estimate the different trunk fat components in boys and girls better than BMI, especially if individuals are overweight or obese. RFMp proved to be more reliable as it considers sex. Both should be included in routine anthropometric readings.

show abstract

Section: Multiple Linear Regressionsupporting

confidence: 73%

Section: Interventionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Relative Fat Mass-pediatric (Rfmp)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Estimating trunk fat in children according to sex using basic somatic readings: an opportunity for improving evaluation among girls

Benavent

Pérez‐Fernández

2021

BMC Pediatr

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Interaction of BMI, Frame Index, % body fat and physical activity (adapted after (Rietsch et al 2013a;Scheffler and Hermanussen 2018) As described earlier, BMI is used to identify overweight and obese children as BMI and %BF are positively correlated. In general, boys and girls with a high BMI have a high amount of BF whereas the interaction is stronger in girls than in boys (La Guzmán-de Garza et al 2017;Prentice and Jebb 2001;Woolcott and Bergman 2019). Despite the high correlation, BMI is not an ideal predictor of %BF either in children and adolescents or in adults (Deurenberg-Yap et al 2000;Wells 2018;Wickramasinghe 2012).…”

Section: Figurementioning

confidence: 99%

Estimation of percentage of body fat in field studies – a method based on relative elbow breadth (Frame Index) and BMI

Mumm

Reimann

Hermanussen

2021

HBPH

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background Over the last 20 years, a decreasing trend in external skeletal robusticity and an increasing trend in overweight and obesity was observed worldwide in adults and children as modern lifestyles in nutritional and activity behavior have changed. However, body mass index (BMI) as a measure for overweight is not an ideal predictor of % body fat (%BF) either in children and adolescents or in adults. On the contrary, it disguises a phenomenon called “hidden obesity”. Objectives We aim to approximate %BF by combining skeletal robusticity and BMI and develop an estimation-based tool to identify normal weight obese children and adolescents. Sample and Methods We analyzed cross-sectional data on height, weight, elbow breadth, and skinfold thickness (triceps and subscapular) of German children aged 6 to 18 years (N=15,034). We used modified Hattori charts and multiple linear regression to develop a tool, the “%BF estimator”, to estimate %BF by using BMI and skeletal robusticity measured as Frame Index. Results Independent of sex and age an increase in BMI is associated with an increase in %BF, an increase in Frame Index is associated with a decrease in %BF. The developed tool “%BF estimator” allows the estimation of %BF per sex and age group after calculation of BMI and Frame Index. Conclusion The “%BF estimator” is an easily applicable tool for the estimation of %BF in respect of body composition for clinical practice, screening, and public health research. It is non-invasive and has high accuracy. Further, it allows the identification of normal weight obese children and adolescents.

show abstract

Overweight and cystic fibrosis: An unexpected challenge

Gabel

Fox

Grimes

et al. 2021

Pediatric Pulmonology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Achieving a healthy weight balance has been a central focus of care for people who have cystic fibrosis (CF). Over the years, the emphasis has primarily been on promoting weight gain to optimize pulmonary outcomes. With continued improvements in CF care, including highly effective CF modulators available for many people, the CF community is now experiencing a new challenge: addressing the concern that some people are gaining weight excessively. While at this time, we do not know to what extent overweight and obesity will affect health outcomes for people with CF, it is likely that excessive weight gain may have negative health impacts similar to those seen in the general population. In this paper, we review the history of nutritional guidelines for people with CF, as well as more recent trends toward overweight and obesity for some. A multidisciplinary approach is needed to collaboratively start the oftentimes difficult conversation regarding excessive weight gain, and to identify resources to help people achieve and maintain a healthy weight through diet, exercise, and behavioral modification.

show abstract

Relative Fat Mass as an estimator of whole-body fat percentage among children and adolescents: A cross-sectional study using NHANES

Cited by 37 publications

References 52 publications

Estimating trunk fat in children according to sex using basic somatic readings: an opportunity for improving evaluation among girls

Estimating trunk fat in children according to sex using basic somatic readings: an opportunity for improving evaluation among girls

Estimation of percentage of body fat in field studies – a method based on relative elbow breadth (Frame Index) and BMI

Overweight and cystic fibrosis: An unexpected challenge

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About