Body-composition reference data for simple and reference techniques and a 4-component model: A new UK reference child

Document Type

Article

Source of Publication

American Journal of Clinical Nutrition

Publication Date

12-1-2012

Abstract

Background: A routine pediatric clinical assessment of body composition is increasingly recommended but has long been hampered by the following 2 factors: a lack of appropriate techniques and a lack of reference data with which to interpret individual measurements. Several techniques have become available, but reference data are needed. Objective: We aimed to provide body-composition reference data for use in clinical practice and research. Design: Body composition was measured by using a gold standard 4-component model, along with various widely used reference and bedside methods, in a large, representative sample of British children aged from 4 to ≥20 y. Measurements were made of anthropometric variables (weight, height, 4 skinfold thicknesses, and waist girth), dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, body density, bioelectrical impedance, and total body water, and 4-component fat and fat-free masses were calculated. Reference charts and SD scores (SDSs) were constructed for each outcome by using the lambda-mu-sigma method. The same outcomes were generated for the fat-free mass index and fat mass index. Results: Body-composition growth charts and SDSs for 5-20 y were based on a final sample of 533 individuals. Correlations between SDSs by using different techniques were ≥0.68 for adiposity outcomes and ≥0.80 for fat-free mass outcomes. Conclusions: These comprehensive reference data for pediatric body composition can be used across a variety of techniques. Together with advances in measurement technologies, the data should greatly enhance the ability of clinicians to assess and monitor body composition in routine clinical practice and should facilitate the use of body-composition measurements in research studies. © 2012 American Society for Nutrition.

ISSN

0002-9165

Publisher

Oxford University Press (OUP)

Volume

96

Issue

6

First Page

1316

Last Page

1326

Disciplines

Life Sciences

Keywords

fat, water, adolescent, adult, article, biceps brachii muscle, bioelectrical impedance, body composition, body density, body fat, body growth, body height, body mass, body weight, child, clinical practice, clinical research, dual energy X ray absorptiometry, female, growth curve, human, impedance, lambda mu sigma method, lipid storage, major clinical study, male, obesity, preschool child, procedures, puberty, reference database, school child, scoring system, skinfold thickness, total body water, triceps brachii muscle, waist circumference, Adiposity, Adolescent, Adolescent Development, Adult, Body Composition, Body Height, Body Weight, Child, Child Development, Child, Preschool, Female, Great Britain, Growth Charts, Humans, Male, Models, Biological, Sex Characteristics, Skinfold Thickness, Waist Circumference, Young Adult

Scopus ID

84869758141

Indexed in Scopus

yes

Open Access

yes

Open Access Type

Bronze: This publication is openly available on the publisher’s website but without an open license

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