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Does body mass index accurately reflect body fat? A comparison of anthropometric measures in the longitudinal assessment of fat mass

TitleDoes body mass index accurately reflect body fat? A comparison of anthropometric measures in the longitudinal assessment of fat mass
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2012
AuthorsPhan, T. - L. T., Maresca M. M., Hossain J., & Datto G. A.
JournalClinical pediatrics
Volume51
Issue7
Pagination671-7
Date Published2012 Jul
ISSN1938-2707
KeywordsAdipose Tissue; Adolescent; Anthropometry; Body Composition; Body Mass Index; Child; Cohort Studies; Delaware; Electric Impedance; Female; Humans; Male; Obesity; Regression Analysis; Retrospective Studies; Waist Circumference; Waist-Hip Ratio
Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To determine which anthropometric measure best correlates with change in fat mass (FM) over time.
METHODS: The authors performed a retrospective cohort study of 76 obese patients (mean body mass index [BMI] 38 kg/m(2) and mean age 13 years) presenting to an obesity clinic between 2005 and 2010. For each patient, during 2 visits, FM was measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis and the following measures obtained: BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference, and neck circumference. Correlation coefficients and linear regression analyses were calculated to examine the relationship between each measure and FM.
RESULTS: Change in BMI correlated better with change in FM than any other measure and had the strongest effect on change in FM (P < .01, R (2) = .887). The best regression model included BMI only (R (2) = .891); without BMI, the model was significantly worse (R (2) = .521).
DISCUSSION: In the clinical management of obese children, BMI is an adequate measure of change in FM.
DOI10.1177/0009922812440838
Alternate JournalClin Pediatr (Phila)
Refereed DesignationRefereed