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ABSTRACT: Background
Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is a potentially valuable method for assessing lean mass and body fat levels in children from different ethnic groups. We examined the need for ethnic- and gender-specific equations for estimating fat free mass (FFM) from BIA in children from different ethnic groups and examined their effects on the assessment of ethnic differences in body fat.Methods
Cross-sectional study of children aged 8-10 years in London Primary schools including 325 South Asians, 250 black African-Caribbeans and 289 white Europeans with measurements of height, weight and arm-leg impedance (Z; Bodystat 1500). Total body water was estimated from deuterium dilution and converted to FFM. Multilevel models were used to derive three types of equation {A: FFM?=?linear combination(height+weight+Z); B: FFM?=?linear combination(height(2)/Z); C: FFM?=?linear combination(height(2)/Z+weight)}.Results
Ethnicity and gender were important predictors of FFM and improved model fit in all equations. The models of best fit were ethnicity and gender specific versions of equation A, followed by equation C; these provided accurate assessments of ethnic differences in FFM and FM. In contrast, the use of generic equations led to underestimation of both the negative South Asian-white European FFM difference and the positive black African-Caribbean-white European FFM difference (by 0.53 kg and by 0.73 kg respectively for equation A). The use of generic equations underestimated the positive South Asian-white European difference in fat mass (FM) and overestimated the positive black African-Caribbean-white European difference in FM (by 4.7% and 10.1% respectively for equation A). Consistent results were observed when the equations were applied to a large external data set.Conclusions
Ethnic- and gender-specific equations for predicting FFM from BIA provide better estimates of ethnic differences in FFM and FM in children, while generic equations can misrepresent these ethnic differences.
SUBMITTER: Nightingale CM
PROVIDER: S-EPMC3799736 | biostudies-literature | 2013
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Nightingale Claire M CM Nightingale Claire M CM Rudnicka Alicja R AR Owen Christopher G CG Donin Angela S AS Newton Sian L SL Furness Cheryl A CA Howard Emma L EL Gillings Rachel D RD Wells Jonathan C K JC Cook Derek G DG Whincup Peter H PH
PloS one 20131018 10
<h4>Background</h4>Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is a potentially valuable method for assessing lean mass and body fat levels in children from different ethnic groups. We examined the need for ethnic- and gender-specific equations for estimating fat free mass (FFM) from BIA in children from different ethnic groups and examined their effects on the assessment of ethnic differences in body fat.<h4>Methods</h4>Cross-sectional study of children aged 8-10 years in London Primary schools incl ...[more]