Abstract
Background: Development of accurate, simple measures of body fat is essential in developing countries due to the rising prevalence of overweight and obesity. Application of skin-fold thickness (SFT) to body fat prediction equations is an inexpensive method suitable for field settings.Aim: To determine percentage fat mass (%FM) of Sri Lankan adolescent girls using Fourier Transform Infrared spectrometry (FTIR) as a reference method and develop a SFT-prediction equation to estimate %FM.Methods: Weight, height and SFT were measured and %FM determined by FTIR in 131 adolescent, post-menarcheal girls (15–19 years). SFT-measurements were applied to available body composition equations for validation in the population. A new equation for %FM was derived and validated.Results: Mean %FM (FTIR) was 19.13 ± 8.2.Selected body composition prediction equations over-estimated %FM. The multiple regression procedure yielded a final equation consisting of two anthropometric and one demographic variable, %FM = 9.701 − (0.460)* age+(0.640)*TricepsSFT+(0.583)*Supra-iliacSFT.Conclusions: Existing SFT prediction-equations are unsuitable for predicting %FM in this population. The new equation utilizing one peripheral and one truncal skin-fold, is appropriate for prediction of %FM in this population and may be applicable to other South Asian/Asian-Indian adolescents following validation.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
