Objective: To develop equations, from some simple anthropometric measurements, for the prediction of body density from underwater weighing in male spanish children and adolescents. Subjects: One hundred and seventy-®ve males, aged 7.0±16.9 y, participated in this study, they were recruited from primary and secondary schools. Measurements: Body weight and height and skinfold thicknesses by anthropometry, body density by underwater weighing. Results: Correlations between body density and body mass index (BMI) were high until 14.0±16.9 y. Correlations between body density and log S 4 skinfolds were higher than those with BMI at all ages. Log S 4 skinfolds explained between 61% (14.0±16.9 y) and 68% (11.0±13.9 y) of the body density variance. Regression equations for body density from BMI and triceps skinfold thickness explained between 51% (14.0±16.9 y) and 68% (7.0±10.9 y) of the body density variance. Conclusions: The best estimators of body density in the children and adolescents studied were log S 4 skinfolds and a combination of BMI and triceps skinfold.

BMI, triceps skinfold and waist circumference predicted total fat content well in male children and adolescents.