title: Correlation between nutrition assessment data and percent body fat via plethysmography in pediatric oncology patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Routine nutrition assessment is a core part of the nutrition management of the pediatric oncology population. The aims of this study were to build on the findings of a previous study to investigate the relationship between nutrition assessment variables and percent body fat (%BF) and to produce an equation to predict %BF in the pediatric oncology population.
  
  
  METHODS
  The nutrition status assessment criteria for comparison with %BF measures were adapted with permission from the St Jude Children's Research Hospital nutrition screening system, Department of Clinical Nutrition. Additional measures not part of the screening system included midarm circumference (MAC); triceps, biceps, suprailiac, and subscapular skinfolds; and arm fat area. %BF was determined via air displacement plethysmography and interpreted via percentiles derived from body fat reference curves for healthy children.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty-two children, 22 males and 20 females, participated in the study. Correlational analysis revealed significant correlations with %BF and weight and body mass index z scores, percentage of ideal body weight (%IBW), MAC, skinfolds, arm fat area, and the total nutrition screening score. No relationship was found between height z score, percentage of weight loss over the previous 1 month, serum albumin, diagnosis risk, oral intake, and impending therapy or treatment side effects. Regression analysis found %BF = (1.4 × Biceps Skinfolds (mm) + (0.16 × %IBW) - 1 to have the strongest correlation (r(2) = 0.74).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The equation presented here requires validation to estimate %BF in the pediatric oncology population.
authors.affiliation: Royal Children's Hospital, Nutrition and Dietetics, Brisbane, Australia, 4029. Melinda_White@health.qld.gov.au
authors.forename: Melinda
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: White
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Davies
authors.forename: Alexia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Murphy
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue; D000293:Adolescent; D001132:Arm / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D001823:Body Composition; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008433:Mathematics; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D009752:Nutritional Status; D018529:Nutritional Support; D010991:Plethysmography / Q000379:methods; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012885:Skinfold Thickness