Comparison of body fat percentage assessments by bioelectrical impedance analysis, anthropometrical prediction equations, and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in older women

Abstract

BackgroundIndividuals with high body fat have a higher risk of mortality. Numerous anthropometric-based predictive equations are available for body composition assessments; furthermore, bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) estimates are available. However, in older adults, the validity of body fat estimates requires further investigation.ObjectiveTo assess the agreement between percentage body fat (BF%) estimates by BIA and five predictive equations based on anthropometric characteristics using dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) as reference method. A secondary objective was to identify whether excluding short-stature women improves the agreement of BF% estimates in a group of community-dwelling, older Mexican women.MethodsA concordance analysis of BF% was performed. A total of 121 older women participated in the study. Anthropometric information, BIA, and DXA body composition estimates were obtained. Five equations using anthropometric data were evaluated in order to determine body fat percentage (BF%) using DXA as reference method. Paired t-test comparisons and standard error of estimates (SEE) were obtained. The Bland-Altman plot with 95% limits of agreement and the concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) were used to evaluate the BF% prediction equations and BIA estimates.ResultsThe mean age of the study participants was 73.7 (±5.8) years old. BIA and the anthropometric based equations examined showed mean significant differences when tested in the entire sample. For the taller women (height > 145 cm), no significant difference in the paired comparison was found between DXA and BIA of BF% estimates. The mean BF% was 40.3 (±4.8) and 40.7 (±6.2) for DXA and BIA, respectively. The concordance between methods was good (CCC 0.814), (SEE 2.62). Also, in the taller women subset, the Woolcott equation using waist-to-height ratio presented no significant difference in the paired comparison; however, the error of the estimates was high (SEE 3.37) and the concordance was moderate (CCC 0.693).ConclusionThis study found that BIA yielded good results in the estimation of BF% among women with heights over 145 cm. Also, in this group, the Woolcott predictive equation based on waist circumference and height ratio showed no significant differences compared to DXA in the paired comparison; however, the large error of estimates observed may limit its application. In older women, short stature may impact the validity of the body fat percentage estimates of anthropometric-based predictive equations.

Validation of skinfold equations and alternative methods for the determination of fat-free mass in young athletes

“…The standard error of the estimate (SEE) was estimated via regression procedures. An a priori power analysis determined that a sample size of 46 subjects per group (male and female) would be needed for a Type I error at α = 0.05 and a power of 80%, for an expected Pearson correlation coefficient of r = 0.60 based on previous studies evaluating the reliability of body composition assessment methods ( 25 , 55 ). All analyses were performed in R (v. 4.1.2), and statistical significance was accepted at p < 0.05.…”

Perbedaan Skor Domain Health Promoting Lifestyle Antar Kategori Persentase Lemak Tubuh

“…Namun, gold standar untuk pemeriksaan komposisi tubuh yang sering digunakan merupakan dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Selain itu, terdapat pemeriksaan alternatif lain yang lebih cepat, murah, dan mudah menggunakan bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) (7) (8).…”

Practical but Inaccurate? A-mode Ultrasound and Bioelectrical Impedance Underestimate Body Fat Percentage Compared to Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry in College Men

“…There are some powerful and accurate reference methods to distinguish body mass components, such as underwater weighing, air replacement plethysmography, neutron activation analysis, computed tomography, and dual energy x-ray densitometry (DXA) [3]. Among these, DXA is widely used as a gold standard reference method to assess accuracy and agreement of other methods [4][5][6][7][8].…”

“…The subject's weight, height, and age are considered to estimate total body water. Then, it applies specific equations to determine the body fat percentage (BF%) [4]. US techniques have also become common in the last decade.…”