Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) and Anthropometric Data in Two Populations of Ecuadorian Children

Abstract

ObjectiveTo make comparisons between Bioelectric Impedance Analysis (BIA) and anthropometry measurements in Ecuadorian children.MethodsSchool age Ecuadorian children (171) between 7–15 years participated in the study. Body composition, fat free mass (FFM), and percent fat mass (PFM) were predicted from height, weight, skin fold thicknesses, circumferences (arms, waist, hips, and proximal thighs) and BIA measurements. FFM and PFM of subjects were evaluated by BIA‐Tanita (Model TBF 300A) and predicted using anthropometric equations.ResultsSignificant correlations (Spearman's) were observed between Houtkooper's equation and BIA in measuring FFM (kg) (r=0.975, p=<0.0001) and between Slaughter's equation and BIA in measuring PFM (r=0.695, p=<0.0001) when combined for males and females. A Scatterplot for Houtkooper's equation vs. BIA for FFM fitted resulted in a regression line with a positive slope of 0.980 and a percentage variance of (Adj. R2=0.968). The Bland‐ Altman plots for Houtkooper's equation and BIA for FFM showed agreement between the two methods. A Scatter plot for Slaughter's anthropometric equation vs. BIA for PFM for both genders was fitted with a regression line with a positive slope of 0.778 resulted in a low percentage of variance of (adj. R2=0.559).ConclusionThere were significant correlations between BIA and anthropometric measurementsSponsor: Loma Linda University