Validity of percent body fat estimations in males

The present investigation examined the validity of selected skinfold (Sum3), near-infrared interactance (F5000 and F1000), and bioelectrical impedance (BIA) equations for estimating percent body fat (% fat) in young adult males (mean age +/- SD = 22 +/- 3 yr) by comparing the estimates with values obtained from underwater weighing. Fifty-seven Caucasian male (mean % fat +/- SD = 15.1 +/- 6.2) volunteers served as subjects. The statistical analyses included examination of constant error (CE), standard error of estimate (SEE), r, and total error (TE). The results indicated that the Sum3 equation had the lowest SEE (2.7% fat) and TE (3.6% fat) as well as the highest validity coefficient (r = 0.90). The F5000, however, had the lowest CE (-1.0% fat). Based on these findings, the Sum3 equation is recommended over the F5000 (TE = 4.2% fat), F1000 (TE = 6.1% fat), and BIA (TE = 5.0% fat) equations for estimating % fat in young adult males.