Regional body composition of college‐age adults from anthropometric measurements

• Published in: The FASEB journal Vol. 20; no. 4; p. A589
• Main Authors: Ritchie, Cameron B., McMullin, Toria, Davidson, Robert T.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology 01-03-2006
• ISSN: 0892-6638; 1530-6860
• DOI: 10.1096/fasebj.20.4.A589

With obesity reaching epidemic proportions it would be useful to have a simplified method for determining regional body composition to facilitate weight change composition research. Using dual energy x‐ray absorptiometry (DEXA) we determined the regional body composition of predominantly Caucasian, college‐age men (n=32) and women (n=67). For each individual body height, body weight, and circumference measurements (in cm) of the following body regions (with circumference site) were also collected: chest (across bust), waist (at navel), hips (at fullest part including buttocks), upper legs (upper‐thigh), lower legs (at calf), and upper arms (at bicep). Using multiple regression analysis, we developed predictive equations relating circumference and fat mass index (FMI, kg body fat/m2) to regional fat mass as reported in the following table. Equations predicting lean mass from anthropometric measures for each region as well as equations predicting regional circumference from grams of fat and lean tissue in each region were also developed.