The potential of near infra-red interactance for predicting body composition in children.

Abstract

To establish whether near infra-red interactance (NIRI) has potential for use instead of skinfold thickness (SFT) measurements in the assessment of body composition in young children. Strengths of relationships were established between NIRI or SFT measurements and four-component model (4-CM) assessments of body composition. Nineteen boys and 19 girls, aged 8-12 y. 4-CM estimates of body composition were obtained from measurements of body weight, body volume, bone mineral content and total body water. SFT and NIRI were measured at the same four recognized sites (biceps, triceps, subscapular and suprailiac). All children subjectively expressed a preference for NIRI rather than SFT calipers. Although SFTs were slightly more strongly and consistently related to 4-CM estimates, NIRI measurements at the biceps, subscapular and sum of four sites were significantly related to body composition indices. Subscapular NIRI measurements were as successful as subscapular SFTs in ranking subjects relative to 4-CM fatness, both techniques being most successful at lower levels of fatness. NIRI has potential for use instead of SFT for estimating body composition in young children. Its contribution may prove to be greatest in sick children in whom SFT measurements may be unwelcome, and weight-for-height indices of little value due to abnormalities of water distribution. However, greater numbers are required to develop child-specific prediction equations and the viability and validity of NIRI in pediatric patients is still to be evaluated.