A field tool for prediction of body fat in Sri Lankan women: skinfold thickness equation. Issue 1 (December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Waidyatilaka, Indu; de Silva, Angela; de Lanerolle-Dias, Maduka; Atukorala, Sunethra; Lanerolle, Pulani
• Is Part Of: Journal of health, population and nutrition. Volume 35:Issue 1(2016)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 7
• Publication Date: 2016-12
• Subjects: SFT -- Skinfold thickness -- Fat mass -- FM -- Body fat -- Asian -- Body composition; Population -- Health aspects -- Periodicals; Nutrition disorders -- Prevention -- Periodicals; Preventive health services -- Periodicals; Families -- Health and hygiene -- Periodicals; Nutrition -- Developing countries -- Periodicals; Public health -- Developing countries -- Periodicals; Developing countries -- Periodicals; Preventive Health Services -- Periodicals; Developing countries -- Periodicals; Family Health -- Periodicals; Nutrition -- Periodicals; Nutrition Disorders -- prevention & control -- Periodicals; Santé publique -- Périodiques; Nutrition -- Périodiques; 614.4091724
• DOI: 10.1186/s41043-016-0069-6
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2072-1315

Abstract

Abstract Background Valid skinfold thickness (SFT) equations for the prediction of body fat are currently unavailable for South Asian women and would be a potentially robust field tool. Our aim was to assess the validity of existing SFT equations against deuterium (2 H2 O) dilution and, if invalid, to develop and validate an SFT equation for % fat mass (%FM) in Sri Lankan women. Methods H2 O dilution was used with Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy as the criterion method for the assessment of %FM in urban Sri Lankan women (30–45 years). This data was used to assess the validity of available SFT equations and to generate and validate a new SFT equation for the prediction of %FM against the criterion method. Women (n = 164) were divided into validation and cross-validation groups for the development and validation of the new equation. The level of agreement between the %FM calculated by the final derived prediction equation and the %FM obtained by2 H2 O dilution was assessed using Pearson's correlation coefficient (R) and Bland Altman plots. Student'st test was used to assess over- or underestimation, and significance was set atp < 0.05. Results Existing equations significantly (p < 0.001) underestimated %FM compared with the2 H2 O dilution method. The final equation obtained was %FM = 19.621 + (0.237*weight) + (0.259*triceps). When compared with2 H2 O dilution, %FM by the equation was not significantly different. There was a significant (p < 0.001) correlation between %FM by the reference method and %FM by the equation. The limit of agreement by Bland Altman plot was narrow with a small mean positive bias. Conclusions Existing SFT equations were not applicable to this population. The new equation derived was valid. We report a new SFT equation to predict %FM in women of South Asian ancestry suitable for field use.