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Indirect estimates of body composition are useful for groups but unreliable in individuals

International Journal of ObesityPublished 24 August 2000
LS Piers, Mário J. Soares, SL Frandsen, Kerin O’Dea
Citations135
SJR quartileQ1
SJR score1.59
SNIP1.33

TL;DR

BMI was a poor surrogate for body fatness in both males and females and the revision of Heitmann's estimate of FFM using anthropometric variables described in this study had the best sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value in identifying overweight/obese individuals in comparison to the other equations tested.

Abstract

BMI was a poor surrogate for body fatness in both males and females. The currently recommended equations for the prediction of body composition from SFT and BIA provided inaccurate estimates of FFM both at the individual and group level as compared to estimates from DD. However, Heitmann's equations, when combined with measures of the biceps SFT and mid-arm circumference, provided better estimates of FFM both at the individual and group level.

Keywords

Medicine