BACKGROUND/ OBJECTIVES: Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is widely used to predict body composition in paediatric research and clinical practice. Many equations have been published, but provide inconsistent predictions. AIMS: To test whether a single equation for lean mass (LM) estimation from BIA is appropriate across wide ranges of age, pubertal status and nutritional status, by testing whether specific groups differ in the slope or intercept of the equation. SUBJECTS/ METHODS: In 547 healthy individuals aged 4-24 years (240 males), we collected data on body mass (BM) and height (HT), and lean mass (LM) using the 4-component model. Impedance (Z) was measured using TANITA BC418MA instrumentation. LM was regressed on HT(2)/Z. Multiple regression analysis was conducted to investigate whether groups based on gender, age, pubertal status or nutritional status differed in the association of LM with HT(2)/Z. RESULTS: BM ranged from 5 to 128 kg. HT(2)/Z was a strong predictor of LM (r (2)=0.953, s.e.e.=2.9 kg). There was little evidence of a sex difference in this relationship, however, children aged 4-7 years and 16-19 years differed significantly from other age groups in regression slopes and intercepts. Similar variability was encountered for pubertal stage, but not for nutritional status. CONCLUSIONS: No single BIA equation applies across the age range 4-24 years. At certain ages or pubertal stages, the slope and intercept of the equation relating LM to HT(2)/Z alters. Failure to address such age effects is likely to result in poor accuracy of BIA (errors of several kg) for longitudinal studies of change in body composition.
BACKGROUND/ OBJECTIVES: Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is widely used to predict body composition in paediatric research and clinical practice. Many equations have been published, but provide inconsistent predictions. AIMS: To test whether a single equation for lean mass (LM) estimation from BIA is appropriate across wide ranges of age, pubertal status and nutritional status, by testing whether specific groups differ in the slope or intercept of the equation. SUBJECTS/ METHODS: In 547 healthy individuals aged 4-24 years (240 males), we collected data on body mass (BM) and height (HT), and lean mass (LM) using the 4-component model. Impedance (Z) was measured using TANITA BC418MA instrumentation. LM was regressed on HT(2)/Z. Multiple regression analysis was conducted to investigate whether groups based on gender, age, pubertal status or nutritional status differed in the association of LM with HT(2)/Z. RESULTS: BM ranged from 5 to 128 kg. HT(2)/Z was a strong predictor of LM (r (2)=0.953, s.e.e.=2.9 kg). There was little evidence of a sex difference in this relationship, however, children aged 4-7 years and 16-19 years differed significantly from other age groups in regression slopes and intercepts. Similar variability was encountered for pubertal stage, but not for nutritional status. CONCLUSIONS: No single BIA equation applies across the age range 4-24 years. At certain ages or pubertal stages, the slope and intercept of the equation relating LM to HT(2)/Z alters. Failure to address such age effects is likely to result in poor accuracy of BIA (errors of several kg) for longitudinal studies of change in body composition.
Authors: R Wibæk; P Kæstel; S R Skov; D L Christensen; T Girma; J C K Wells; H Friis; G S Andersen Journal: Eur J Clin Nutr Date: 2015-04-01 Impact factor: 4.016
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Authors: Simon Lee; Vassiliki Bountziouka; Sooky Lum; Janet Stocks; Rachel Bonner; Mitesh Naik; Helen Fothergill; Jonathan C K Wells Journal: PLoS One Date: 2014-12-05 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Ching S Wan; Leigh C Ward; Jocelyn Halim; Megan L Gow; Mandy Ho; Julie N Briody; Kelvin Leung; Chris T Cowell; Sarah P Garnett Journal: BMC Pediatr Date: 2014-10-03 Impact factor: 2.125