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Published on: August 17, 2022
Use of bioelectrical impedance analysis to assess body composition in rural Gambian children
M Prins1, S Hawkesworth, A Wright
1Wageningen University and Research Centre, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
Insights
The Tanita body composition analyser requires specific equations for African children to accurately estimate fat-free mass (FFM). This study developed new prediction equations for better body composition assessment in Gambian youth.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Anthropometry
- Body Composition Analysis
Background:
- Accurate body composition assessment is crucial for monitoring child health.
- Existing methods for estimating fat-free mass (FFM) may not be accurate in diverse populations.
- Segmental body composition analysers offer a field-friendly approach.
Purpose of the Study:
- To validate the Tanita BC-418MA Segmental Body Composition Analyser and four-site skinfold measurements.
- To predict total body water (TBW), percentage fat-free mass (%FFM), and percentage body fat (%BF) in rural Gambian children.
- To develop novel prediction equations for body composition in this population.
Main Methods:
- One hundred thirty-three healthy Gambian children (65 males, 68 females) participated.
- FFM was estimated using the Tanita system and compared against deuterium oxide dilution.
- New prediction equations for %FFM and %BF were developed using anthropometric variables and skinfold measurements.
Main Results:
- The Tanita system's inbuilt equations underestimated FFM compared to deuterium oxide dilution (P<0.003).
- Prediction accuracy was better in younger children and males.
- The best prediction for %FFM incorporated height, weight, sex, impedance, age, and four skinfold measurements (adjusted R(2)=0.84).
Conclusions:
- The Tanita instrument can be a reliable field assessment tool for African children.
- Population and gender-specific equations are necessary for accurate FFM estimation from impedance measurements.
- This study provides validated equations for body composition analysis in Gambian children.
Objective:
To validate the Tanita BC-418MA Segmental Body Composition Analyser and four-site skinfold measurements for the prediction of total body water (TBW), percentage fat-free mass (%FFM) and percentage body fat (%BF) in a population of rural Gambian children.
Subjects/Methods:
One hundred and thirty-three healthy Gambian children (65 males and 68 females). FFM estimated by the inbuilt equations supplied with the Tanita system was assessed by comparison with deuterium oxide dilution and novel prediction equations were produced. Deuterium oxide dilution was also used to develop equations for %BF based on four-site skinfolds (biceps, triceps, subscapular and suprailiac).
Results:
The inbuilt equations underestimated FFM compared to deuterium oxide dilution in all the sex and age categories (P<0.003), with greater accuracy in younger children and in males. The best prediction of %FFM was obtained from the variables height, weight, sex, impedance, age and four skinfold thickness measurements (adjusted R(2)=0.84, root mean square error (MSE)=2.07%).
Conclusions:
These data suggest that the Tanita instrument may be a reliable field assessment technique in African children, when using population and gender-specific equations to convert impedance measurements into estimates of FFM.
