Validity of Armband Measuring Energy Expenditure in Overweight and Obese Children

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the ability of the SenseWear Pro2 Armband (SWA) to accurately assess energy expenditure in free-living overweight or obese children during a 2-wk period by comparison with energy expenditure measured using the doubly labeled water (DLW) method. A second aim was to examine which software version, Innerview Professional 5.1 or Sensewear Professional 6.0, is the most appropriate for use together with SWA in overweight and obese children. A random sample of 22 healthy, overweight, or obese children (11 girls and 11 boys) aged 8-11 yr were recruited from an ongoing intervention study. Energy expenditure in free-living conditions was simultaneously assessed with the SWA and DLW methods during a 14-d period. All data from the SWA were analyzed using InnerView Professional software versions 5.1 (SWA 5.1) and 6.1 (SWA 6.1). An accurate estimation in energy expenditure was obtained when SWA 5.1 was used, showing a nonstatistically significant difference corresponding to 17 (1200) kJ x d(-1) compared with the energy expenditure measured using the DLW method. However, when SWA 6.1 was used, a statistically significant (18%) underestimation of energy expenditure was obtained, corresponding to 1962 (1034) kJ x d(-1) compared with the DLW method. The SWA together with software version 5.1, but not 6.1, is a valid method for accurately measuring energy expenditure at group level of free-living overweight and obese children.