Abstract
BackgroundThe aim of this paper was to investigate whether BMI and fat percentage classification criteria, would classify a sample of 7–13 year old boys from a rural background in similar nutritional categories.MethodsA cross-sectional study with a stratified random sampling included 601 rural boys (7–13 years old). Fat percentage criteria classification and BMI were calculated and compared. Maturity status, and age at peak height velocity (PHV) were indirectly determined. Statistical techniques included descriptive statistics, Pearson product correlation coefficients, the Kappa agreement test and the McNemar’s test. The level of statistical significance was set at p ≤ 0.05.ResultsAll age groups presented with statistically significant high correlations between BMI and fat percentage, and low to medium correlations between fat percentage and maturity age (MA). Measurement of agreement between BMI and fat percentage classifications showed poor to fair agreements for all age groups, with the exception of the eight-year old group which presented a moderate agreement.ConclusionsClassifications based on BMI and fat percentage, results in different classifications for the same population. Until further research has been done to determine the best classification for nutritional status, it is recommended that both classification methods be used for more accurate classification of nutritional status.
Highlights
The aim of this paper was to investigate whether Body Mass Index (BMI) and fat percentage classification criteria, would classify a sample of 7–13 year old boys from a rural background in similar nutritional categories
More recent studies suggest that to combat overweight and obesity in children and adolescents, emphasis should rather be placed on assessing fat mass, and that the use of BMI as an indicator of the nutritional status should be used with caution [10, 13, 15]
The relative technical error of measurements (TEM) for all anthropometrical measurements were calculated according to Intra-evaluator TEM calculations [32]
Summary
The aim of this paper was to investigate whether BMI and fat percentage classification criteria, would classify a sample of 7–13 year old boys from a rural background in similar nutritional categories. Appropriate and valid nutritional classification using body composition assessments, are important for the early identification and treatment of malnutrition in children. Developing countries, such as South Africa, face a double burden of malnutrition, (where underweight and overweight can be found in one household) [1, 2]. More recent studies suggest that to combat overweight and obesity in children and adolescents, emphasis should rather be placed on assessing fat mass, and that the use of BMI as an indicator of the nutritional status should be used with caution [10, 13, 15]
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