Comparison of field methods to estimate fat mass in children.
BACKGROUND
Reliable field methods to measure fat mass (FM) in children may contribute to primary prevention of childhood obesity.


OBJECTIVE
The objective was to compare the accuracy of existing field methods (skinfold thickness (SF), leg-to-leg bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), anthropometrics for FM measurement in prepubertal European children.


METHODS
Reference FM was measured in 55 French children (30 boys, 25 girls; mean age 8.7 years) using a three-compartment model: body volume (BV) was assessed by air displacement plethysmography (ADP) and total body water (TBW) was assessed by deuterium dilution. Agreement between field methods and the reference method was assessed using Bland-Altman analyses. Since field methods for FM measurement are reported to be population-dependent, adjustment to the study population was performed using stepwise multiple linear regressions modelling.


RESULTS
Even after adjustment, field methods exhibited a high correlation (R(2) = 0.71-0.84) but a moderate agreement (+/-3.32 to +/-4.47 kg for fat mass) with the reference model. Methods based on BIA or SF performed slightly better than those based on anthropometry.


CONCLUSIONS
Field methods for FM measurement may be recommended for epidemiological applications, but not for individual follow-up. New field equipment is required to improve accuracy of FM measurement in children and make individual follow-up possible.
Paineau
Damien
D
Nutri-Health, Immeuble Ampère, Rueil-Malmaison Cedex, France. d.paineau@nutri-health.eu
Chiheb
Sabrina
S
Banu
Isabela
I
Valensi
Paul
P
Fontan
Jean-Eudes
JE
Gaudelus
Joël
J
Chapalain
Véronique
V
Chumlea
Cameron
C
Bornet
Francis
F
Boulier
Alain
A
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D000886:Anthropometry / Q000379:methods; D001823:Body Composition; D049628:Body Size; D001834:Body Water; D002648:Child; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003903:Deuterium / Q000032:analysis; D017097:Electric Impedance; D015340:Epidemiologic Research Design; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010991:Plethysmography; D012016:Reference Values; D012885:Skinfold Thickness
D003903:Deuterium