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Updated: Jul 2, 2026
Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
Published on: February 2, 2017
[Validation of equations to assess body composition using anthropometric data in Chilean preschool children]
Marcia Velásquez R1, Gabriela Salazar R, Fernando Vio del R
1Instituto de Nutrición y Tecnología de los Alimentos (INTA), Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile. mvelasq@inta.cl
Insights
New body composition equations were developed for Chilean preschoolers aged 3-5 years. These validated anthropometric tools accurately estimate body fat (BF) and total body water (TBW) in this population.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Body Composition Analysis
- Anthropometry
Background:
- Lack of validated body composition equations for Chilean preschool children.
- Existing international equations are not suitable for this demographic.
- Rising rates of overweight and obesity necessitate reliable assessment tools.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate anthropometric equations for estimating body fat (BF) and total body water (TBW).
- To ensure applicability in Chilean children aged 3 to 5 years.
- To use deuterated water dilution as the reference method.
Main Methods:
- Evaluated weight, height, circumferences, and skinfold thickness in 238 children (3-5 years old).
- Developed multiple regression models to create new equations for body water and fat estimation.
- Validated equations using Bland and Altman agreement analysis on a separate sample of 77 children.
Main Results:
- New equations for total body water (TBW) and body fat (BF) were derived, explaining 86% and 72% of variability, respectively.
- Validation showed excellent agreement, with mean differences of 0.001 +/- 0.32 kg for TBW and 0.07 +/- 0.56 kg for BF.
- The results confirm the predictive validity of the newly developed equations.
Conclusions:
- Validated anthropometric equations for Chilean children aged 3-5 years provide adequate predictive capacity.
- These equations are particularly useful for monitoring changes in total body water and body fat in pediatric cohorts.
- The study provides essential tools for assessing body composition in a vulnerable population.
Background:
Validated equations to measure body composition in Chilean preschool children are lacking, since the only international equation available was developed in obese, and undernourished Caucasian children. Due to the increase in overweight and obesity in Chile, it is essential to have simple and reliable instruments to assess children.
Aim:
To design and validate anthropometric equations to estimate body fat (BF) and total body water (TBW) to be applicable in children aged 3 to 5 years, using deuterated water dilution as a reference method.
Materials And Methods:
Weight, height, circumferences and skinfold thickness were evaluated in 238 children aged 3 to 5 years, attending Junta Nacional de Jardines Infantiles (JUNJI). Several equations were developed using multiple regression models to estimate body water and fat. The proposed equations were validated against a sample of 77 children previously evaluated, using Bland and Alunan agreement analysis, that compares average differences of both methods with the average of predicted and estimated values.
Results:
New equations for TBW and BF were obtained, accounting for 86% and 72% in estimated variability. The agreement analysis showed a mean difference 0.001 +/- 0.32 and 0.07 +/- 0.56 kg, for TBW and BF, respectively, confirming the validity of the equations.
Conclusions:
The new validated equations in Chilean children aged 3 to 5 years, have an adequate and predictive capacity, especially useful for evaluating TBW and BF change in cohorts.
