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The potential of near infra-red interactance for predicting body composition in children
N J Fuller1, O Dewit, J C Wells
1MRC Childhood Nutrition Research Centre, Institute of Child Health, 30 Guildford St., London WC1N 1EH, UK.
Insights
Near infra-red interactance (NIRI) shows promise as an alternative to skinfold thickness (SFT) for assessing body composition in children. Children preferred NIRI, and it demonstrated significant relationships with body composition metrics.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric health
- Body composition analysis
- Biometric measurement techniques
Background:
- Accurate body composition assessment is crucial for monitoring child health.
- Traditional methods like skinfold thickness (SFT) can be uncomfortable for children.
- Near infra-red interactance (NIRI) offers a potentially less invasive alternative.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the potential of NIRI as a substitute for SFT in assessing body composition in young children.
- To compare the efficacy of NIRI and SFT measurements against a four-component model (4-CM).
Main Methods:
- Nineteen boys and 19 girls (aged 8-12 years) participated in the study.
- Body composition was assessed using a four-component model (4-CM).
- NIRI and SFT measurements were taken at four standard sites (biceps, triceps, subscapular, suprailiac).
Main Results:
- Children expressed a preference for the NIRI method over SFT calipers.
- While SFT showed slightly stronger correlations with 4-CM, NIRI measurements at specific sites (biceps, subscapular, and sum of four) were significantly related to body composition.
- Subscapular NIRI was as effective as subscapular SFT in categorizing fatness, particularly at lower levels.
Conclusions:
- NIRI holds potential as a viable alternative to SFT for pediatric body composition assessment.
- NIRI may be particularly beneficial for sick children where SFT is undesirable.
- Further research with larger cohorts is needed to develop child-specific NIRI prediction equations and validate its use in pediatric patients.
Objective:
To establish whether near infra-red interactance (NIRI) has potential for use instead of skinfold thickness (SFT) measurements in the assessment of body composition in young children.
Design:
Strengths of relationships were established between NIRI or SFT measurements and four-component model (4-CM) assessments of body composition.
Subjects:
Nineteen boys and 19 girls, aged 8-12 y.
Measurements:
4-CM estimates of body composition were obtained from measurements of body weight, body volume, bone mineral content and total body water. SFT and NIRI were measured at the same four recognized sites (biceps, triceps, subscapular and suprailiac).
Results:
All children subjectively expressed a preference for NIRI rather than SFT calipers. Although SFTs were slightly more strongly and consistently related to 4-CM estimates, NIRI measurements at the biceps, subscapular and sum of four sites were significantly related to body composition indices. Subscapular NIRI measurements were as successful as subscapular SFTs in ranking subjects relative to 4-CM fatness, both techniques being most successful at lower levels of fatness.
Conclusion:
NIRI has potential for use instead of SFT for estimating body composition in young children. Its contribution may prove to be greatest in sick children in whom SFT measurements may be unwelcome, and weight-for-height indices of little value due to abnormalities of water distribution. However, greater numbers are required to develop child-specific prediction equations and the viability and validity of NIRI in pediatric patients is still to be evaluated.