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Anthropometry-based prediction of body fat in infants from birth to 6 months: the Baby-bod study

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-20, 19:33 authored by Sisitha Jayasinghe, Manoja HerathManoja Herath, Jeffrey BeckettJeffrey Beckett, Kiran AhujaKiran Ahuja, Nuala ByrneNuala Byrne, Andrew HillsAndrew Hills

Background/objectives: Prediction equations generated from anthropometric measures are frequently used to quantify paediatric body composition. We tested the agreeability and predictive power of select (Lingwood and Aris) fat mass prediction equations against body fat measured via ADP; and generated and evaluated new anthropometry-based models for use in the first 6 months of life.

Subjects/methods: Data were obtained from 278 white European Australian infants at birth, 3 and 6 months. Prediction models (i.e. Baby-bod models) were generated for each time point via stepwise linear regression and compared for agreeability with ADP via limits of agreement, mean difference and total bias in Bland–Altman analyses. Predictive power of all equations in comparison to ADP were assessed using linear regression analysis.

Results: Overall, there was poor agreeability between percent body fat predicted via published equations and ADP. Proportional bias was detected for both methods (i.e. published equations and Baby-bod models) of body fat prediction. At birth, both Lingwood and BB0 equations overestimated percent body fat at the lower end of the FM spectrum. This trend was repeated at 3 months with all equations displaying a propensity to overestimate body fat at lower FM levels and underestimate at higher FM levels.

Conclusions: The results indicate that anthropometry, although less costly and relatively easier to implement, does not always produce comparable results with objective measures such as ADP. Given the importance of the accurate assessment of physical growth, including body composition in early life, it is timely to recommend the increased utilisation of techniques such as ADP.

History

Publication title

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition

Volume

75

Pagination

715-723

ISSN

0954-3007

Department/School

School of Health Sciences

Publisher

Nature Publishing Group

Place of publication

Macmillan Building, 4 Crinan St, London, England, N1 9Xw

Rights statement

Copyright 2020 The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Neonatal and child health

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