Estimation of body fat in Pakistani adult: A comparison of equations based upon skinfold thickness measurements

To compare three different body fats estimation equations using skin fold measurements with bioelectrical impedance analysis.

A total of 130 subjects were included from Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Services Hospital, Lahore from 1^st April 2016 to 30^th Sep. 2016. The triceps, biceps, subscapular, chest, thigh, abdominal, suprailiac skinfold thickness of the subjects was measured with skin-fold calipers (Harpenden) on non-dominant side. The percentage fat mass (%FM) predicted by using each skin-fold-thickness equations namely Durnin & Womersley, Jackson & Pollock and Sloan was compared with %FM measured using a bioelectrical impedance analyzer (BIA).

The mean age of subjects was 48.75±10.7 years, mean BMI was 29.08±6.09 kg/m². The mean %FM calculated by Durnin & Womersley (32.408±0.584), Jackson & Pollock (24.658±0.527), Sloan (20.40±0.545). The %FM by BIA was 38.182±0.529. All three equations showed positive correlation but underestimated %FM as compared to BIA.

All three BF estimation equations underestimate body fat percentage compared to BIA. Among the three, Durnin & Womersley equation shows best positive correlation and hence it can be used for estimation of percentage fat mass as an alternate to BIA.