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Body composition assessment in American Indian children
T G Lohman1, B Caballero, J H Himes
1Department of Physiology, University of Arizona, Tucson 85721, USA. lohman@u.arizona.edu
The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
|April 9, 1999
Summary
This study measured body composition in American Indian children, confirming high rates of excess body fat. Findings support obesity prevention efforts in these communities.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Nutritional Science
- Public Health
Background:
- Obesity prevalence is high in American Indian children, but direct body adiposity data is limited.
- Previous surveys relied on Body Mass Index (BMI), necessitating more direct body composition measurements.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate body composition in American Indian children using direct measurements.
- To establish reliable measurement protocols for a larger obesity prevention study.
Main Methods:
- Assessed body composition in 156 American Indian children (81 boys, 75 girls) from six communities.
- Utilized skinfold thickness and bioelectrical impedance measurements with a validated prediction equation.
- Measurements were part of the feasibility phase of the Pathways obesity prevention study.
Main Results:
- Mean BMI values were 20.4 kg/m² for boys and 21.1 kg/m² for girls.
- Average sum of triceps and subscapular skinfolds was 28.6 mm (boys) and 34.0 mm (girls).
- Mean percentage body fat was 35.6% (boys) and 38.8% (girls), indicating excess adiposity.
Conclusions:
- Confirmed high prevalence of excess body fat in school-age American Indian children.
- Developed and validated measurement procedures for future large-scale obesity intervention studies.