[Body composition analysis using bioelectrical and anthropometric parameters].
BACKGROUND
Interest in the study of body composition in childhood is increasing. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is an accurate and reliable method.


OBJECTIVE
To determine anthropometric parameters, fat-free body mass and fat body mass using BIA and anthropometry, and to establish their relationship.


METHODS
A total of 365 healthy children (188 boys, 177 girls) aged 6.0 to 14.9 years were studied. Weight, height, arm circumference, skinfolds (bicipital, tricipital, subscapular and suprailiac) and bioelectrical parameters were measured. Body density was calculated from the four skinfold measurements using Brook's formula. Bioelectrical impedance was measured with a BIA-101 S (RJL Systems) using a fixed frequency (50 kHz). Fat-free body mass from BIA was calculated using Deurenberg's equation (FFM = 0.82 x height2/resistance).


RESULTS
We present the mean, standard deviation and 3rd, 5th, 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, 90th, 95th and 97th percentiles of anthropometric variables and fat mass and fat-free mass estimated using BIA. Correlations were found between fat-free mass estimated using BIA and anthropometric variables. The reliability of BIA in estimating fat mass was assessed with intraclass correlation coefficients, which were excellent (0.948 in boys, and 0.945 in girls).


CONCLUSIONS
BIA is an easy, low-cost, and highly reliable method, making it a useful technique for studying human body composition. This method shows excellent correlation with anthropometric variables.
Casanova Román
M
M
Servicio de Pediatría, Hospital Universitario de Puerto Real, Cátedra de Pediatría, Facultad de Medicina de Cádiz, Puerto Real, Cádiz, Spain. mcasanovar@telefonica.net
Rodríguez Ruiz
I
I
Rico de Cos
S
S
Casanova Bellido
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000886:Anthropometry; D001823:Body Composition; D002648:Child; D017097:Electric Impedance; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male