TY  - GEN
A1  - Rebekka Mumm, 
A1  - Reimann, Anna
A1  - Scheffler, Christiane
A2  - Scheffler, Christiane
A2  - Koziel, Slawomir
A2  - Hermanussen, Michael
A2  - Bogin, Barry
T1  - Estimation of percentage of body fat in field studies – a method based on relative elbow breadth (Frame Index) and BMI
T2  - Human Biology and Public Health
N2  - Background

Over the last 20 years, a decreasing trend in external skeletal robusticity and an increasing trend in overweight and obesity was observed worldwide in adults and children as modern lifestyles in nutritional and activity behavior have changed. However, body mass index (BMI) as a measure for overweight is not an ideal predictor of % body fat (%BF) either in children and adolescents or in adults. On the contrary, it disguises a phenomenon called “hidden obesity”.

Objectives

We aim to approximate %BF by combining skeletal robusticity and BMI and develop an estimation-based tool to identify normal weight obese children and adolescents.

Sample and Methods

We analyzed cross-sectional data on height, weight, elbow breadth, and skinfold thickness (triceps and subscapular) of German children aged 6 to 18 years (N=15,034). We used modified Hattori charts and multiple linear regression to develop a tool, the “%BF estimator”, to estimate %BF by using BMI and skeletal robusticity measured as Frame Index.

Results

Independent of sex and age an increase in BMI is associated with an increase in %BF, an increase in Frame Index is associated with a decrease in %BF. The developed tool “%BF estimator” allows the estimation of %BF per sex and age group after calculation of BMI and Frame Index.

Conclusion

The “%BF estimator” is an easily applicable tool for the estimation of %BF in respect of body composition for clinical practice, screening, and public health research. It is non-invasive and has high accuracy. Further, it allows the identification of normal weight obese children and adolescents.
KW  - body fat estimator
KW  - body composition
KW  - skeletal robusticity
KW  - hidden obesity
KW  - normal weigh obese
Y1  - 2021
UR  - https://publishup.uni-potsdam.de/frontdoor/index/index/docId/51538
SN  - 2748-9957
VL  - 2021
IS  - 1
SP  - 1
EP  - 12
PB  - Universitätsverlag Potsdam
CY  - Potsdam
ER  -