Ethnic Variability in Body Size, Proportions and Composition in Children Aged 5 to 11 Years: Is Ethnic-Specific Calibration of Bioelectrical Impedance Required?

Abstract

BackgroundBioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) has the potential to be used widely as a method of assessing body fatness and composition, both in clinical and community settings. BIA provides bioelectrical properties, such as whole-body impedance which ideally needs to be calibrated against a gold-standard method in order to provide accurate estimates of fat-free mass. UK studies in older children and adolescents have shown that, when used in multi-ethnic populations, calibration equations need to include ethnic-specific terms, but whether this holds true for younger children remains to be elucidated. The aims of this study were to examine ethnic differences in body size, proportions and composition in children aged 5 to 11 years, and to establish the extent to which such differences could influence BIA calibration.MethodsIn a multi-ethnic population of 2171 London primary school-children (47% boys; 34% White, 29% Black African/Caribbean, 25% South Asian, 12% Other) detailed anthropometric measurements were performed and ethnic differences in body size and proportion were assessed. Ethnic differences in fat-free mass, derived by deuterium dilution, were further evaluated in a subsample of the population (n = 698). Multiple linear regression models were used to calibrate BIA against deuterium dilution.ResultsIn children <11 years of age, Black African/Caribbean children were significantly taller, heavier and had larger body size than children of other ethnicities. They also had larger waist and limb girths and relatively longer legs. Despite these differences, ethnic-specific terms did not contribute significantly to the BIA calibration equation (Fat-free mass = 1.12+0.71*(height2/impedance)+0.18*weight).ConclusionAlthough clear ethnic differences in body size, proportions and composition were evident in this population of young children aged 5 to 11 years, an ethnic-specific BIA calibration equation was not required.

Longitudinal study of cardiometabolic risk from early adolescence to early adulthood in an ethnically diverse cohort

“…At ages <11 years, cross-sectional studies have shown that Black African-origin children are ∼3 cm taller and heavier and South Asians ∼2 cm shorter and lighter than Whites in Britain 319 In DASH, the taller heights of the Black Caribbean and Black Africans at 11–13 years but not at 14–16 years5 or 21–23 years support accelerated growth patterning prior to 11–13 years. South Asians remained shorter at 21–23 years than White UK, a pattern consistent with other studies of young children 19.…”

“…19 In DASH, the taller heights of the Black Caribbean and Black Africans at 11–13 years but not at 14–16 years5 or 21–23 years support accelerated growth patterning prior to 11–13 years. South Asians remained shorter at 21–23 years than White UK, a pattern consistent with other studies of young children 19. The larger body size for Black Caribbeans and Black Africans also correspond with other studies 18…”

Assessment of an east-west phenotypic variation in body height, body form and body mass among prehistoric hunter-gatherers of Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego, chile

“…If correct, it is likely that genetic and phenotypic differences between marine and terrestrial groups were somewhat maintained by geographic barriers such as the Southern Ice Field and the Magellan Strait, among others (Figure 1). However, differences in height between the groups could also be explained by differences in diet and overall health (Bogin 1999(Bogin , 2001Eveleth and Tanner 1991;Lee et al 2014;Lejarraga 2002;Pomeroy et al , 2015Tanner 1990;Ulijaszek et al 1998). And in fact, it is important to keep in mind, that these marked environmental and landscape variations have been matched to contrasting lifestyles, social conditions, terrains and ranging behaviors between terrestrial and marine hunter-gatherer groups in Fuego-Patagonia.…”

“…Body size and proportions are also affected by factors such as socio-economic status, psychosocial stress, physical activity, climate, altitude and seasonality. All these factors, however, ultimately hinge on nutrient availability, which is in turn dependent on disease and nutrition (Bogin 1999(Bogin , 2001Eveleth and Tanner 1991;Frisancho 2007;Lee et al 2014;Lejarraga 2002;Meinhardt et al 2017;Norgan 2002;Pomeroy et al , 2015Schell and Knutsen 2002;Specker and Schoenau 2005;Stinson 2000;Tanner 1990;Ulijaszek et al 1998). In addition to external factors, genetic differences will affect growth and its ultimate outcomes (e.g.…”

Worldwide variability in growth and its association with health: Incorporating body composition, developmental plasticity, and intergenerational effects

“…That both growth and body composition are sensitive to ecological influences in early life is clearly demonstrated through studies of infant feeding mode (Butte, Wong, Hopkinson, Smith, & Ellis, 2000;Dewey, Heinig, Nommsen, Peerson, & L€ onnerdal, 1993). During childhood, South Asian children continue to have lower lean mass index compared with European children, whereas Afro-Caribbean and black African children tend to have higher levels of lean mass index than European children, and similar body fat (D' Angelo et al, 2015;Lee et al, 2014;Nightingale et al, 2011). For example, Ethiopian infants have less body fat than European infants at birth (Andersen et al, 2011), while, at birth and in early infancy, South Asian infants in the UK have less lean mass but similar body fat compared with white European infants (Stanfield, Wells, Fewtrell, Frost, & Leon, 2012;Yajnik et al, 2003).…”