Evaluation of body fat changes during weight loss by using improved anthropometric predictive equations

Garcia, A.L. , Wagner, K., Einig, C., Trippo, U., Koebnick, C. and Zunft, H.J. (2006) Evaluation of body fat changes during weight loss by using improved anthropometric predictive equations. Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism, 50(3), pp. 297-304. (doi: 10.1159/00009260)

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIM: Skinfold-based equations are widely used to evaluate body fat (BF), but over-/underestimation is often reported. We evaluate the capacity of improved skinfold-based equations to estimate BF changes during weight reduction and compare them against well-established equations. METHODS: Overweight adults (n = 44) participated in a 4-month weight reduction intervention. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and anthropometric measurements were taken at baseline and after intervention. The BF% was calculated using García, Peterson, and Durnin and Womersley (DW) equations. RESULTS: Baseline and postintervention BF% measured by DXA correlated highest with BF% predicted according to García (r = 0.934 and r = 0.948, respectively), followed by Peterson (r = 0.941 and r = 0.932, respectively) and DW (r = 0.557 and r = 0.402, respectively); only a slight systematic error in overestimating the BF% was observed in estimates according to García (r = 0.147 and r = 0.104, respectively; p < 0.001), while increasing errors occurred using the Peterson (r = 0.624 and r = 0.712, respectively; p < 0.001) and DW (r = 0.767 and r = 0.769, respectively; p < 0.001) equations. Moderate correlations between BF changes (kg) measured by DXA and predicted by DW (r = 0.7211), Peterson (r = 0.697), and García (r = 0.645) were observed.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Garcia, Dr Ada
• Authors: Garcia, A.L., Wagner, K., Einig, C., Trippo, U., Koebnick, C., and Zunft, H.J.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing
• Journal Name: Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism
• Journal Abbr.: Ann. Nutr. Metab.
• ISSN: 0250-6807
• ISSN (Online): 1421-9697
• Published Online: 06 April 2006