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Cited by 87Body Composition Measurement TechniquesElectrical and Bioimpedance TomographyObesity, Physical Activity, Diet

Validity of total and segmental impedance measurements for prediction of body composition across ethnic population groups

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Deurenberg, P, Deurenberg-Yap, M, Schouten, FJM·2002·European Journal of Clinical Nutrition
DOI 10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601303
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Abstract

Objectives To test the impact of body build factors on the validity of impedance-based body composition predictions across (ethnic) population groups and to study the suitability of segmental impedance measurements.Design Cross-sectional observational study.Settings Ministry of Health and School of Physical Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.Subjects A total of 291 female and male Chinese, Malays and Indian Singaporeans, aged 18-69, body mass index (BMI) 16.0-40.2 kg/ m2.Methods Anthropometric parameters were measured in addition to impedance (100 kHz) of the total body, arms and legs. Impedance indexes were calculated as height2/impedance. Arm length (span) and leg length (sitting height), wrist and knee width were measured from which body build indices were calculated. Total body water (TBW) was measured using deuterium oxide dilution. Extra cellular water (ECW) was measured using bromide dilution. Body fat percentage was determined using a chemical four-compartment model.Results The bias of TBW predicted from total body impedance index (bias: measured minus predicted TBW) was different among the three ethnic groups, TBW being significantly underestimated in Indians compared to Chinese and Malays. This bias was found to be dependent on body water distribution (ECW/TBW) and parameters of body build, mainly relative (to height) arm length. After correcting for differences in body water distribution and body build parameters the differences in bias across the ethnic groups disappeared. The impedance index using total body impedance was better correlated with TBW than the impedance index of arm or leg impedance, even after corrections for body build parameters.Conclusions The study shows that ethnic-specific bias of impedance-based prediction formulas for body composition is due mainly to differences in body build among the ethnic groups. This means that the use of 'general' prediction equations across different (ethnic) population groups without prior testing of their validity should be avoided. Total body impedance has higher predictive value than segmental impedance.

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Authors
Deurenberg, P., Deurenberg-Yap, M., & Schouten, F.
Affiliations
  • University of Rome Tor Vergata (IT)
  • Wageningen University & Research (NL)
Corresponding author
Deurenberg, P
Venue
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2002-03-01
Volume
56
Issue
3
Pages
214-220
ISSN
  • 0954-3007 (ISSN-L)
  • 1476-5640
DOI
10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601303
OpenAlex
W2322672463
Cited by
87
References
29
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 2 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 5 · 2014: 11 · 2013: 5 · 2012: 5
FWCI
2.60
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Socio-Environmental Systems Modeling (acceptedVersion)
  • INFM-OAR (INFN Catania) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
  • Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Body Composition Measurement Techniques
  • Physical Sciences › Engineering › Electrical and Electronic Engineering › Electrical and Bioimpedance Tomography
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet
Keywords
bioelectrical impedance analysis, body composition assessment, ethnic differences, body build, total body water, extracellular water, prediction bias, prediction equations, Singaporeans
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Body Composition, Body Water, Ethnicity, Extremities, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Singapore, Reproducibility of Results, Bias, Electric Impedance, Asian People

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