title: A comparison of prediction equations for the estimation of body fat percentage in non-obese and obese older Caucasian adults in the United States.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The predictive capabilities of skinfold regression equations are limited across populations and current equations may not be well suited for the prediction of body fat in older adults or obese Americans. The goal of this study was to compare percent body fat (%BF) predicted by several skinfold regression equations to %BF determined by Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) in obese and non-obese Caucasian men and women in the United States over the age of 65 years.
  
  
  METHODS
  A block design was used with two blocks: obesity (non-obese/obese) and gender (male/female). All subjects underwent the same testing procedures in one visit.
  
  
  METHODS
  University of Pittsburgh Clinical and Translation Research Center.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy-eight older healthy adults were recruited for participation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Actual percent body fat was determined from a whole body DXA scan. Estimated percent body fat (%BF) was calculated using skinfold measurements and established regression equations. The predictive accuracy of the regression equations was evaluated by comparing the estimated %BF to the actual %BF measured with DXA using a within subject ANOVA (α=0.05). This was done within subgroups: obese males, obese females, non-obese males and non-obese females.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Durnin and Womersly and Jackson and Pollock had reasonably good agreement with DXA in older Caucasian American females and males, respectively. The remaining equations significantly overestimated %BF in older Caucasian American males. Mixed results were found in females with Gause-Nilsson and Jackson and Pollock significantly underestimating %BF, while Visser and Kwok overestimated %BF.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Numerous factors of a population including age, race, ethnicity, gender and obesity should be considered when selecting a skinfold regression equation to estimate %BF. While Durnin and Womersly and Jackson and Pollock are recommended for predicting %BF in older Caucasian American females and males, respectively, there exists a need to develop accurate regression models that consider obesity, gender, race or ethnicity when predicting %BF in a diverse geriatric American population.
authors.affiliation: April J. Chambers, PhD, Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, 441 Benedum Hall, 3700 O'Hara St Pittsburgh, PA 15261, Telephone: (412) 624-9898, Fax: (412) 383-8788, Email: ajcst49@pitt.edu
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Chambers
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Parise
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: McCrory
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cham
mesh_terms: D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000273:Adipose Tissue; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D001823:Body Composition; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000503:physiopathology*; D044469:Racial Groups; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D012885:Skinfold Thickness; D014481:United States