Accuracy and concordance of anthropometry for measuring regional fat distribution in adults aged 20–55 years. Issue 1 (7th November 2012)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Scafoglieri, Aldo; Tresignie, Jonathan; Provyn, Steven; Marfell‐Jones, Mike; George, Keith; Clarys, Jan Pieter; Bautmans, Ivan
• Is Part Of: American journal of human biology. Volume 25:Issue 1(2013:Jan./Feb.)
• Page Start: 63
• Page End: 70
• Publication Date: 2012-11-07
• Subjects: Human biology -- Periodicals; Physical anthropology -- Periodicals; Biologie humaine -- Périodiques; Anthropologie physique -- Périodiques; 612
• DOI: 10.1002/ajhb.22342
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1042-0533

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" xml:lang="en"> <title>Abstract</title> <p> <bold>Objectives</bold>: This study aimed to assess the accuracy and concordance of anthropometrically derived prediction equations for the estimation of regional fat mass (FM) distribution.</p> <p> <bold>Methods</bold>: Sixty‐two white males and 50 females with a large range of age (20−55 years) and BMI (16.6−33.4 kg/m<sup>2</sup>) were included. Whole body dual energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans were acquired and anthropometric prediction equations for regional FM were developed and cross‐validated. On the basis of the total sample two anthropometrically derived indices of FM distribution <tex-math notation="tex"><![CDATA[$\Big({{{\rm FM}_{{\rm trunk}} } \over {{\rm FM}_{{\rm limbs}} }}$]]></tex-math><inline-graphic xlink:href="ark:/27927/pgg1p92zrhq" mimetype="image" xlink:type="simple" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" /> ratio and <tex-math notation="tex"><![CDATA[${{{\rm \%FM}_{{\rm trunk}} } \over {{\rm \%FM}_{{\rm legs}} }} \ {\rm ratio}\Big)$]]></tex-math><inline-graphic xlink:href="ark:/27927/pgg1p92zrnx" mimetype="image" xlink:type="simple" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" /> were compared with their DXA analogues.</p> <p> <bold>Results</bold>: In both sexes multiple linear regression models predicted the regional DXA fat masses with good accuracy (<italic>P</italic> < 0.001). In men mean bias (limits of agreement) were: −6.8 g (−535, 364) for FM<sub>arms</sub>, 65 g (−1921, 2052) for FM<sub>trunk</sub>, −21 g (−1374, 1332) for FM<sub>legs</sub>, −0.2% (−5.0, 4.7) for %FM<sub>trunk</sub> and −0.5% (−6.8, 5.8) for %FM<sub>legs</sub>. In women mean difference (limits of agreement) were: −86 g (−463, 450) for FM<sub>arms</sub>, 30 g (−1784, 1844) for FM<sub>trunk</sub>, −278 g (−1782, 1227) for FM<sub>legs</sub>, 0.4% (−5.5, 6.3) for %FM<sub>trunk</sub>, and 0.3% (−8.3, 8.9) for %FM<sub>legs</sub>. No systematic (constant and proportional) differences between methods for the determination of FM distribution ratios were found, suggesting method interchangeability. The concordance for subject classification based on <italic>t</italic>‐scores according to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) was significant (<italic>P</italic> < 0.001), with substantial agreement for <tex-math notation="tex"><![CDATA[${{{\rm FM}_{{\rm trunk}} } \over {{\rm FM}_{{\rm limbs}} }}$]]></tex-math><inline-graphic xlink:href="ark:/27927/pgg1p92zrmc" mimetype="image" xlink:type="simple" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" /> ratio (κ<sub>w</sub> = 0.80) and <tex-math notation="tex"><![CDATA[${{{\rm \%FM}_{{\rm trunk}} } \over {{\rm \%FM}_{{\rm legs}} }}$]]></tex-math><inline-graphic xlink:href="ark:/27927/pgg1p92zrkt" mimetype="image" xlink:type="simple" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" /> ratio (κ<sub>w</sub> = 0.75).</p> <p> <bold>Conclusion</bold>: Anthropometric variables offer promise to the development of simple, noninvasive, and inexpensive screening to identify individuals with abnormal FM distribution. The anthropometrically derived indices of FM distribution demonstrate sufficient accuracy for clinical use. Am. J. Hum. Biol., 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.</p> </abstract>