title: Predictive accuracy of three field methods for estimating relative body fatness of nonobese and obese women.
abstract: Three methods of body composition assessment were used to estimate percent body fat (%BF) in nonobese (n = 77) and obese (n = 71) women, 20-72 yrs of age. Skinfolds (SKF), bioelectrical impedance (BIA), and near-infrared interactance (NIR) methods were compared to criterion-derived %BF from hydrostatic weighing (%BFHW). Nonobese subjects had < 30% BFHW and obese subjects had > or = 30% BFHW. The Jackson, Pollock, and Ward SKF equation and the manufacturer's equations for BIA (Valhalla) and NIR (Futrex-5000) were used. For nonobese women there were no significant differences between mean %BFHW and %BFSKF, %BFBIA, and %BFNIR. The rs and SEEs were 0.65 and 3.4% BF for SKF, 0.61 and 3.6% BF for BIA, and 0.58 and 3.7% BF for NIR for nonobese subjects. For obese women, mean %BFHW was significantly underestimated by the SKF, BIA, and NIR methods. The rs and SEEs for the obese group were 0.59 and 3.4% BF for SKF, 0.56 and 3.5% BF for BIA, and 0.36 and 3.9% BF for NIR. The total errors of the equations ranged from 5.6 to 8.0% BF in the obese group. It is concluded that all three field methods accurately estimate %BF for nonobese women; however, none of the methods is suitable for estimating %BF for obese women.
authors.affiliation: Human Performance Laboratory, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque 87131.
authors.forename: V H
authors.initials: VH
authors.lastname: Heyward
authors.forename: K L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Cook
authors.forename: V L
authors.initials: VL
authors.lastname: Hicks
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Jenkins
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Quatrochi
authors.forename: W L
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Wilson
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001823:Body Composition; D017097:Electric Impedance; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity; D012885:Skinfold Thickness; D013055:Spectrophotometry, Infrared