Predicting Body Fat Percentage from Anthropometric Measurements in Asian Athletes

Researchers have predicted body fat percentage (BF%), as indicated by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), from skinfold thicknesses in North American and European athletes, but not athletes from other regions. We sought to estimate an equation to predict BF% in elite Asian athletes from their skinfold thickness and girth measurements, with DXA as a reference method.

We collected data from two samples of athletes on Singaporean national teams. With the first sample (n = 95), we developed an equation to predict BF%, and then tested the equation in the second sample (n = 21). We used backward stepwise regression and the Akaike information criteria (AIC) to determine the final equation.

Triceps, subscapular, front thigh, and (natural log of) abdominal skinfold thicknesses, waist circumference, and female sex were positively associated with BF% (P < 0.05).

Our equation for predicting BF% from anthropometric measurements is the first one based on Asian athletes. This equation could help practitioners estimate BF% of Asian athletes if DXA is unavailable.