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Validity of using multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis to measure skeletal muscle mass in preschool
Kanako Fujii1, Akiko Ishizaki1, Ayano Ogawa1
1Department of Special Needs Dentistry, Division of Hygiene and Oral Health, Showa University School of Dentistry, Japan.
Insights
Multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis (MF-BIA) offers a reliable method for measuring skeletal muscle mass in preschool children. This technique aids in evaluating physical activity habits and body composition in young individuals.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Body Composition Analysis
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Assessing skeletal muscle mass in preschool children is challenging due to a lack of simple measurement tools.
- Physical activity is crucial for development, but its evaluation is hindered by difficulties in measuring muscle mass.
Purpose of the Study:
- To validate multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis (MF-BIA) for assessing skeletal muscle mass in preschool children.
- To compare MF-BIA body fat mass measurements with those derived from body mass index (BMI) formulas.
- To establish the reliability of MF-BIA for pediatric body composition analysis.
Main Methods:
- Ninety-four preschool children participated in the study.
- Measurements included age, height, weight, grip strength, occlusal force, muscle/fat thickness, body fat mass, skeletal muscle mass, and calf circumference.
- MF-BIA was used to assess body composition, with additional parameters measured to ensure validity.
Main Results:
- A strong correlation was observed between body fat mass measured by MF-BIA and BMI formulas.
- Significant correlations were found between skeletal muscle mass/height (measured by MF-BIA) and grip strength and calf circumference.
- MF-BIA demonstrated high validity for assessing body fat and skeletal muscle mass in this age group.
Conclusions:
- MF-BIA is a reliable method for measuring skeletal muscle mass in preschool children.
- This technique facilitates the evaluation of body composition and supports the promotion of physical activity habits.
- MF-BIA provides a valuable tool for pediatric health assessments and research.
Abstract:
[Purposes] Although it is recommended to develop a habit of physical activities, there is no easy way to measure skeletal muscle mass in preschool children, which cause the difficulty of evaluation. The purpose of this study was to examine the validity of body composition including the skeletal muscle mass assessment using multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis by comparing body fat mass obtained by using multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis method and body mass index formulas. [Subjects and Methods] Ninety-four children were surveyed for age, height, weight, grip strength, maximum occlusal force, thickness of muscle and fat mass (masseter and lower limb), body fat mass, skeletal muscle mass, and calf circumference. We assessed additional parameters, which were thought to be related to skeletal muscle mass, to ensure validity. [Results] A strong correlation was found in body fat mass values obtained using the multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis method and those obtained using the body mass index formulas. Additionally, strong correlation coefficients were found between the skeletal muscle mass/height obtained using the multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis method and grip strength and calf circumference. [Conclusion] Our results indicate that skeletal muscle mass can be reliably measured using the multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis method in preschool children.
