Abstract
An accurate estimation of body fat percentage (BF%) in patients who are overweight or obese is of clinical importance. In this study, we aimed to develop an easy-to-use BF% predictive equation based on body mass index (BMI) suitable for individuals in this population. A simplified prediction equation was developed and evaluated for validity using anthropometric measurements from 375 adults of both genders who were overweight or obese. Measurements were taken in the outpatient clinic of the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics at Beirut Arab University (Lebanon). A total of 238 participants were used for model building (training sample) and another 137 participants were used for evaluating validity (validation sample). The final predicted model included BMI and sex, with non-significant prediction bias in BF% of −0.017 ± 3.86% (p = 0.946, Cohen’s d = 0.004). Moreover, a Pearson’s correlation between measured and predicted BF% was strongly significant (r = 0.84, p < 0.05). We are presenting a model that accurately predicted BF% in 61% of the validation sample with an absolute percent error less than 10% and non-significant prediction bias (−0.028 ± 4.67%). We suggest the following equations: BF% females = 0.624 × BMI + 21.835 and BF% males = 1.050 × BMI − 4.001 for accurate BF% estimation in patients who are overweight or obese in a clinical setting in Lebanon.
Highlights
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) [1] on a global scale, more than 1.9 billion adults are overweight (body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 kg/m2 ), and of these over 650 million are obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 ) [1]
The classification of adiposity based on body fat (BF) quantification and assessment seems to be the most accurate [3], especially when, regardless of BMI, an increase in BF% is associated with major risk factors for cardiovascular diseases [4] as well as all-cause mortality [5]
The current study aimed to develop a simple and easy-to-use BF% prediction equation based on BMI
Summary
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) [1] on a global scale, more than 1.9 billion adults are overweight (body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 kg/m2 ), and of these over 650 million are obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 ) [1]. Nearly 39% of adults were overweight in 2016, and 13% were obese [1]. According to the same source, since 1975 the prevalence of obesity in the world has nearly tripled [1]. Beyond the BMI cut-off, the WHO originally defines overweight or obesity as an increased body fat (BF) accumulation in the adipose tissue, especially in central visceral regions [1,2]. An accurate measurement and/or estimation of the BF% in patients with obesity are of clinical importance [6]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 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.
