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Accuracy of three novel predictive methods for measurements of fat mass in healthy older subjects

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Abstract

This study evaluated the agreement of novel anthropometric equations and established indirect methods (skinfold thickness and bioimpedance analysis) with reference methods [dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and air displacement plethysmography (ADP)] for fat mass assessment (FM) in older subjects.

Methods

Forty subjects (M/F = 15/25, age = 61–84 years, BMI = 18–37 kg/m2) were recruited. The agreement of the following predictive equations was evaluated: body adiposity index (BAI), BAI-Fels and Clínica Universidad de Navarra-body adiposity estimator (CUN-BAE).

Results

BAI estimates were comparable to DXA (Δ ± 2SD = 0.4 ± 6.0 kg, p > 0.05) but not to ADP (Δ ± 2SD = −2.8 ± 7.2 kg, p < 0.001); BAI-Fels estimates were comparable to DXA (Δ ± 2SD = 0.8 ± 5.5 kg, p > 0.05) but not to ADP (Δ ± 2SD = −4.0 ± 6.9 kg, p < 0.001). The difference between CUN-BAE and ADP was not significant (Δ ± 2SD = −0.4 ± 5.6 kg, p > 0.05), whereas it significantly overestimated DXA (Δ ± 2SD = 2.8 ± 5.4 kg, p < 0.001). ADP significantly overestimated FM compared to DXA (Δ ± 2SD = 3.2 ± 5.4 kg, p < 0.001) and the measurement bias was significantly correlated with BMI in men (p = 0.004).

Conclusions

The accuracy of the three anthropometric indexes is dependent on the choice of the reference method. The variability of the FM estimates was large and these indexes cannot be recommended for the assessment of FM in older subjects.

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Acknowledgments

Jose Lara is a member of the LiveWell Programme which is funded by the Lifelong Health and Wellbeing Cross-Council Programme initiative in partnership with the UK Health Department. The LLHW Funding Partners are: Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, Economic and Social Research Council, Medical Research Council, Chief Scientist Office of the Scottish Government Health Directorates, National Institute for Health Research/The Department of Health, The Health and Social Care Research and Development of the Public Health Agency (Northern Ireland), and Wales Office of Research and Development for Health and Social Care, Welsh Assembly Government. International Center for the Assessment of Nutritional Status, (ICANS), University of Milan (internal funding).

Conflict of interest

On behalf of all authors, the corresponding author states that there is no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Human Nutrition Research Centre, Institute for Ageing and Health, Newcastle University, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 5PL, UK

    J. Lara, M. Siervo & J. C. Mathers

  2. Dipartimento di Scienze per gli Alimenti, la Nutrizione e l’Ambiente (DeFENS), International Center for the Assessment of Nutrizional Status (ICANS), Università degli Studi, Via Colombo 60, 20133, Milan, Italy

    S. Bertoli & A. Battezzati

  3. Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, Human Nutrition and Eating Disorders Research Centre, University of Pavia, Via Bassi, 21, 27100, Pavia, Italy

    C. Ferraris & A. Tagliabue

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  1. J. Lara
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  2. M. Siervo
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  3. S. Bertoli
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  4. J. C. Mathers
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  5. A. Battezzati
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  7. A. Tagliabue
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Correspondence to A. Tagliabue.

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Lara, J., Siervo, M., Bertoli, S. et al. Accuracy of three novel predictive methods for measurements of fat mass in healthy older subjects. Aging Clin Exp Res 26, 319–325 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40520-013-0169-8

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