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Predicting fat percent by skinfolds in racial groups: Durnin and Womersley revisited.

ABSTRACT: PURPOSE:Despite their widespread use in research and fitness settings, Durnin and Womersley's (DW) 1974 prediction equations using skinfold thickness to estimate body fat percent by hydrodensitometry have not been systematically evaluated in racial or ethnic groups using body fat percent measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (%BF(DXA)) as the standard. METHODS:This cross-sectional, population-based study examined whether the DW skinfold equations predict %BF(DXA) in a large, multiracial sample. Four skinfold measures (biceps, triceps, subscapular, and suprailiac), other clinical anthropometrics, and %BF(DXA) were obtained from 1675 healthy adults, age 18-110 yr, who were classified into four racial or ethnic categories: Caucasian, African American, Hispanic, or Asian. Predicted body fat percent using DW equations was compared with %BF(DXA) and evaluated within race/ethnicity- and sex-specific groups. RESULTS:Mean body fat percent predicted by DW equations was significantly different from %BF(DXA) in four of eight race/ethnicity- and sex-specific groups, particularly in Asian women and African American men (3.3 and 2.4 percentage point overestimates, respectively, P < 0.0001). New linear regression equations were developed estimating %BF(DXA) specific to each race/ethnicity and sex group, using the original DW skinfold sites. Body weight, height, and waist circumference independently predicted fat percent and were also included in the new equations. CONCLUSIONS:The 1974 DW equations did not predict %BF(DXA) uniformly in all races or ethnicities. Using %BF(DXA) as the criterion measure, the original DW skinfold equations have been updated specific to sex and race/ethnicity while maintaining the DW options for a minimalistic model using fewer predictors.

SUBMITTER: Davidson LE

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3308342 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Predicting fat percent by skinfolds in racial groups: Durnin and Womersley revisited.

Davidson Lance E LE Wang Jack J Thornton John C JC Kaleem Zafar Z Silva-Palacios Federico F Pierson Richard N RN Heymsfield Steven B SB Gallagher Dympna D

Medicine and science in sports and exercise 20110301 3

<h4>Purpose</h4>Despite their widespread use in research and fitness settings, Durnin and Womersley's (DW) 1974 prediction equations using skinfold thickness to estimate body fat percent by hydrodensitometry have not been systematically evaluated in racial or ethnic groups using body fat percent measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (%BF(DXA)) as the standard.<h4>Methods</h4>This cross-sectional, population-based study examined whether the DW skinfold equations predict %BF(DXA) in a large ...[more]

PMID: 20689462

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Project description:BackgroundLeucine deprivation modulates the dietary amino acid composition, reducing the fat content and improving the glucose tolerance, thus protecting the organism against obesity. However, a complete deprivation of leucine can lead to an extremely rapid fat loss in mice, accompanied by prolonged adverse effects such as weakness and mental fatigue. Therefore, in this study we aimed to seek the optimal concentration of dietary leucine that can reduce fat mass and improve the metabolism without the onset of severe effects.MethodsTo investigate whether there is a better concentration of diet leucine restriction (LR), based on the diet we conducted (A10021B), that can reduce fat mass and improve metabolism status without taking many negative effects, we fed 8 weeks old male C57Bl/6J mice with increasing degrees of leucine restriction diet 0% LR (control group), 25% LR, 50% LR, and 75% LR groups (4-6 mice each group). Fat mass and blood glucose levels were measured. The expression levels of genes involved in lipid metabolism in white adipose tissue (WAT) and liver, and proteins in insulin signaling were assessed in WAT, liver and muscle.ResultsWe found that the 50% LR group is the most proper group here at the lowest leucine effective concentration, which reduced fat mass (p < 0.05) and improved glucose regulation in mice over a 90 days feeding. Further studies revealed that lipid synthesis pathway (Fas, Scd1and Srebp1, p < 0.05) was downregulated and lipolysis (Atgl, p < 0.05) was upregulated in WAT in 50% LR group, compared to that in control group. Furthermore, glucose regulation (glucose tolerance test, p < 0.05) was also improved, and insulin signaling (p < 0.05) in the muscle was enhanced in 50% LR group while in WAT and liver were not changed.ConclusionsCollectively, a 50% LR in mice reduced fat mass and improved glucose regulation, which may function through modulating lipid synthesis and lipolysis pathway in adipose tissue as well as enhancing insulin signaling in muscle. So far, we provide a further consideration for carrying out the diet of leucine restriction to reduce fat and improve metabolism status before clinical study.

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Predicting fat percent by skinfolds in racial groups: Durnin and Womersley revisited.

Publications

Predicting fat percent by skinfolds in racial groups: Durnin and Womersley revisited.

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