Assessment of body composition in Sri Lankan children: validation of a bioelectrical impedance prediction equation
Abstract
Objective To develop bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) equations to predict total body water (TBW) and fat-free mass (FFM) of Sri Lankan children.Subjects/methods Data were collected from 5- to 15-year-old healthy children. They were randomly assigned to validation (M/F: 105/83) and cross-validation (M/F: 53/41) groups. Height, weight and BIA were measured. TBW was assessed using isotope dilution method (D(2)O). Multiple regression analysis was used to develop preliminary equations and cross-validated on an independent group. Final prediction equation was constructed combining the two groups and validated by PRESS (prediction of sum of squares) statistics. Impedance index (height(2)/impedance; cm(2)/Omega), weight and sex code (male=1; female=0) were used as variables.Results Independent variables of the final prediction equation for TBW were able to predict 86.3% of variance with root means-squared error (RMSE) of 2.1 l. PRESS statistics was 2.1 l with press residuals of 1.2 l. Independent variables were able to predict 86.9% of variance of FFM with RMSE of 2.7 kg. PRESS statistics was 2.8 kg with press residuals of 1.4 kg. Bland Altman technique showed that the majority of the residuals were within mean bias+/-1.96 s.d.Conclusions Results of this study provide BIA equation for the prediction of TBW and FFM in Sri Lankan children. To the best of our knowledge there are no published BIA prediction equations validated on South Asian populations. Results of this study need to be affirmed by more studies on other closely related populations by using multi-component body composition assessment.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Claims the paper makes
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
As for TBW in under 18 years old, five equations are suitable for both sexes.
“As for TBW, five equations are suitable for both sexes [37, 58, 72, 75, 100].”
From High-standard predictive equations for estimating body composition using bioelectrical impedance analysis: a systematic review (2024) · cites this paper as [72]
Cites
STATISTICAL METHODS FOR ASSESSING AGREEMENT BETWEEN TWO METHODS OF CLINICAL MEASUREMENT
Martin Bland, J., & Altman, D. (1986) · The Lancet · doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(86)90837-8 · Cited by 47,965 · see citing works
Beckett, A. H., Rowland, M., & TURNER, P. (1965) · The Lancet · doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(65)91037-8 · Cited by 16,917 · see citing works
Obesity : Preventing and managing the global epidemic
Akram, D. S., Astrup, A. V., Atinmo, T., Boissin, J.-L., Bray, G. A., Carroll, K. N., Chitson, P., Chen, C., Dietz, W. H., Hill, J. O., et al. (2000) · Research at the University of Copenhagen (University of Copenhagen) · Cited by 12,945 · see citing works
Body fat reference curves for children
McCarthy, H. D., Cole, T. J., Fry, T., Jebb, S. A., & Prentice, A. M. (2006) · International Journal of Obesity · doi:10.1038/sj.ijo.0803232 · Cited by 889 · see citing works
Sun, S. S., Chumlea, W. C., Heymsfield, S. B., Lukaski, H. C., Schoeller, D., Friedl, K., Kuczmarski, R. J., Flegal, K. M., Johnson, C. L., & Hubbard, V. S. (2003) · The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition · doi:10.1093/ajcn/77.2.331 · Cited by 701 · see citing works
Total body water measurement in humans with 18O and 2H labeled water
Schoeller, D. A., van Santen, E., Peterson, D. W., Dietz, W., Jaspan, J., & Klein, P. D. (1980) · The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition · doi:10.1093/ajcn/33.12.2686 · Cited by 666 · see citing works
Advances in Body Composition Assessment
Lohman, T. G. (1993) · Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise · doi:10.1249/00005768-199306000-00021 · Cited by 612 · see citing works
Advances in body composition assessment
Boileau, R. A. (1993) · Cadernos de Saúde Pública · doi:10.1590/s0102-311x1993000500016 · Cited by 449 · see citing works
Houtkooper, L. B., Going, S. B., Lohman, T. G., Roche, A. F., & Van Loan, M. (1992) · Journal of Applied Physiology · doi:10.1152/jappl.1992.72.1.366 · Cited by 348 · see citing works
Assessment of Body Composition in Children
Lohman, T. G. (1989) · Pediatric Exercise Science · doi:10.1123/pes.1.1.19 · Cited by 348 · see citing works
Schaefer, F., Georgi, M., Zieger, A., & Schärer, K. (1994) · Pediatric Research · doi:10.1203/00006450-199405000-00016 · Cited by 260 · see citing works
Eston, R. G. (1997) · British Journal of Sports Medicine · doi:10.1136/bjsm.31.4.353-c · Cited by 188 · see citing works
Precise measurement of total body water using trace quantities of deuterium oxide
Halliday, D., & Miller, A. G. (1977) · Journal of Mass Spectrometry · doi:10.1002/bms.1200040205 · Cited by 164 · see citing works
Bioelectrical impedance analysis in body composition measurement
(1996) · Nutrition · doi:10.1016/s0899-9007(97)85179-9 · Cited by 149 · see citing works
Bio-electrical properties of tissue impedance measurements
Thommaset, A. (1962) · Lyon médical/Lyon médical · Cited by 115 · see citing works
The prediction of total body water using bioelectrical impedance in children and adolescents
Davies, P. S. W., Preece, M. A., Hicks, C. J., & Halliday, D. (1988) · Annals of Human Biology · doi:10.1080/03014468800009681 · Cited by 114 · see citing works
Self-citationFjeld, C. R., Freundt-Thurne, J., & Schoeller, D. A. (1990) · Pediatric Research · doi:10.1203/00006450-199001000-00024 · Cited by 95 · see citing works
Nutritional status of schoolchildren in an urban area of Sri Lanka
Wickramasinghe, P., Lamabadusuriya, S., Atapattu, N., Sathyadas, G., Kuruparanantha, S., & Karunarathne, P. (2010) · Ceylon Medical Journal · doi:10.4038/cmj.v49i4.1920 · Cited by 87 · see citing works
Self-citationBody composition determination in children using bioelectrical impedance.
Cordain, L., Whicker, R. E., & Johnson, J. E. (1988) · PubMed · Cited by 74 · see citing works
Assessment of foot-to-foot bioelectrical impedance analysis for the prediction of total body water
Bell, N., McClure, P., Hill, R. J., & Davies, P. (1998) · European Journal of Clinical Nutrition · doi:10.1038/sj.ejcn.1600661 · Cited by 48 · see citing works
Self-citationWickramasinghe, P., Cleghorn, G. J., Edmiston, K. A., Murphy‐Alford, A. J., Abbott, R. A., & Davies, P. S. W. (2004) · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Self-citation
Flagged first, then by citations
1 of the 22 references couldn’t be matched to a known paper.
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Ward, L. C. (2019) · European Journal of Clinical Nutrition · doi:10.1038/s41430-018-0335-3 · Cited by 417 · see citing works
Talma, H., Chinapaw, M. J. M., Bakker, B., Hirasing, R. A., Terwee, C. B., & Altenburg, T. M. (2013) · Obesity Reviews · doi:10.1111/obr.12061 · Cited by 203 · see citing works
Body composition determination by bioimpedance: an update
Jaffrin, M. Y. (2009) · Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition & Metabolic Care · doi:10.1097/mco.0b013e32832da22c · Cited by 167 · see citing works
de Castro, J. A. C., de Lima, T. R., & Silva, D. A. S. (2017) · Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies · doi:10.1016/j.jbmt.2017.04.010 · Cited by 121 · see citing works
Campa, F., Coratella, G., Cerullo, G., Noriega, Z., Francisco, R., Charrier, D., Irurtia, A., Lukaski, H., Silva, A. M., & Paoli, A. (2024) · Journal of Translational Medicine · doi:10.1186/s12967-024-05272-x · Cited by 80 · see citing works
“Concerning foot-to-hand technology, four equations are suitable only for females [55, 76], while eight are suitable for both sexes [37, 58, 59, 72, 73, 75, 100].”
BackgroundMethodResultInfluentialBrantlov, S., Jødal, L., Lange, A., Rittig, S., & Ward, L. C. (2017) · Journal of Medical Engineering & Technology · doi:10.1080/03091902.2017.1333165 · Cited by 73 · see citing works
Ramírez, E., Valencia, M. E., Bourges, H., Espinosa, T. Z., Moya-Camarena, S. Y., Salazar, G., & Alemán-Mateo, H. (2012) · European Journal of Clinical Nutrition · doi:10.1038/ejcn.2012.89 · Cited by 59 · see citing works
Liu, A., Byrne, N. M., Ma, G., Nasreddine, L., Trinidad, T. P., Kijboonchoo, K., Ismail, M. N., Kagawa, M., Poh, B. K., & Hills, A. P. (2011) · European Journal of Clinical Nutrition · doi:10.1038/ejcn.2011.122 · Cited by 45 · see citing works
Bundy, D. A. P. (2011) · World Bank, Washington, DC eBooks · doi:10.1596/978-0-8213-7907-3 · Cited by 63 · see citing works
Khan, A. I., Hawkesworth, S., Hawlader, M. D. H., Arifeen, S. E., Moore, S. E., Hills, A. P., Wells, J. C. K., Persson, L. Å., & Kabir, I. (2012) · Europe PMC (PubMed Central) · Cited by 29 · see citing works
Brantlov, S., Jødal, L., Andersen, R. F., Lange, A., Rittig, S., & Ward, L. C. (2019) · The Scientific World JOURNAL · doi:10.1155/2019/4274856 · Cited by 27 · see citing works
Physical Activity Energy Expenditure of Adolescents in India
Corder, K. L., Brage, S., Wright, A., Ramachandran, A., Snehalatha, C., Yamuna, A., Wareham, N. J., & Ekelund, U. (2010) · Obesity · doi:10.1038/oby.2010.4 · Cited by 24 · see citing works
Costa, R. F. D., Silva, A. M., Masset, K. V. D. S. B., Cesário, T. D. M., Cabral, B. G. D. A. T., Ferrari, G., & Dantas, P. M. S. (2022) · Frontiers in Nutrition · doi:10.3389/fnut.2022.820736 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
“However, it is important that the techniques for body composition assessment that are used have been validated for the target population (37, 54, 55).”
MethodDevakumar, D., Grijalva-Eternod, C. S., Roberts, S., Chaube, S. S., Saville, N. M., Manandhar, D. S., Costello, A. M. D. L., Osrin, D., & Wells, J. C. K. (2015) · PeerJ · doi:10.7717/peerj.785 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
Assessment of body composition in Sri Lankan children: validation of a skin fold thickness equation
Wickramasinghe, P., Lamabadusuriya, S., Cleghorn, G. J., & Davies, P. (2008) · Ceylon Medical Journal · doi:10.4038/cmj.v53i3.247 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
Self-citationThe Bland-Altman Method Should Not Be Used in Regression Cross-Validation Studies
O’Connor, D. P., Mahar, M. T., Laughlin, M. S., & Jackson, A. S. (2011) · Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport · doi:10.1080/02701367.2011.10599797 · Cited by 17 · see citing works
Kourkoumelis, N., Grujić, V. R., Grabež, M., Vidic, A., Siksna, I., Lazda, I., Bajić, B., Đurović, D., Spiroski, I. M., Dimitrovska, M., et al. (2021) · Clinical Nutrition ESPEN · doi:10.1016/j.clnesp.2021.05.001 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
Harchaoui, I. E., Hamdouchi, A. E., Baddou, I., Menchawy, I. E., Benjeddou, K., Saeid, N., Belghiti, H., Mzibri, M. E., Kari, K. E., & Aguenaou, H. (2018) · European Journal of Clinical Nutrition · doi:10.1038/s41430-018-0093-2 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
Ndagire, C. T., Muyonga, J. H., Odur, B., & Nakimbugwe, D. (2018) · Clinical Nutrition ESPEN · doi:10.1016/j.clnesp.2018.09.004 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Validity of newly-developed BMI and waist cut-off values for Sri Lankan children
Wickramasinghe, P., Arambepola, C., Bandara, D. M. P. S., Abeysekera, M., Kuruppu, S., Dilshan, P., & Dissanayake, B. S. (2013) · Annals of Human Biology · doi:10.3109/03014460.2013.769629 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Choi, H.-J., Ko, C.-Y., Chang, Y., Kim, G.-S., Choi, K., & Kim, C.-H. (2021) · PeerJ · doi:10.7717/peerj.10970 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Association between early weight gain and later adiposity in Sri Lankan adolescents
Samaranayake, D., Lanerolle, P., Waidyatilaka, I., de Lanerolle-Dias, M., Hills, A. P., Wickremasinghe, A. R., & Wickramasinghe, P. (2020) · Journal of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease · doi:10.1017/s2040174420000331 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Bioimpedance Spectroscopy in Healthy Children
Brantlov, S., Andersen, T. B., Jødal, L., Rittig, S., & Lange, A. (2015) · Journal of Clinical Engineering · doi:10.1097/jce.0000000000000137 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Moeng-Mahlangu, L. T., Monyeki, M. A., Reilly, J. J., & Kruger, H. S. (2022) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph192114531 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Defining Obesity Using a Biological End Point in Sri Lankan Children
Wickramasinghe, P., Arambepola, C., Bandara, P., Abeysekera, M., Kuruppu, S., Dilshan, P., & Dissanayake, B. S. (2016) · The Indian Journal of Pediatrics · doi:10.1007/s12098-016-2191-2 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
Divala, O., Mwakhwawa, Q., Phiri, M. M., Owino, V. O., Kari, K. E., & Maleta, K. M. (2022) · BMJ Open · doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2021-058551 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
Jayawardena, R., Wijetunga, W. M. U. A., Ranasinghe, P., Wanninayake, L., & Wickramasinghe, V. P. (2020) · European Journal of Clinical Nutrition · doi:10.1038/s41430-019-0521-y · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Kampo, D., Závodná, E., & Vondra, V. (. (2025) · Physiological Research · doi:10.33549/physiolres.935758 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Essa’a, V. J., Dimodi, H. T., Ntsama, P. M., & Medoua, G. N. (2017) · Nutrire · doi:10.1186/s41110-017-0045-y · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Electrical Impedance Signal Analysis for Medical Diagnosis
Vargas-Luna, M., Balleza, M., Franco, M. R. H., & Riu, P. J. (2018) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-319-74388-2_5 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Asadi, S., Bloomfield, F. H., Alexander, T., McKinlay, C. J. D., Rush, E. C., Harding, J. E., & for the hPOD, H. A. D. S. T. (2020) · British Journal Of Nutrition · doi:10.1017/s0007114520001221 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Development of a New Equation for the Prediction of Resting Metabolic Rate in Sri Lankan Adults
Fairoosa, P., Lanerolle, P., de Lanerolle-Dias, M., Wickramasinghe, P., & Waidyatilaka, I. (2021) · International Journal of Endocrinology · doi:10.1155/2021/4170137 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Ndagire, C. T., Muyonga, J. H., Isabirye, D., Odur, B., SOMDA, S. M. A., Bukenya, R., Andrade, J. E., & Nakimbugwe, D. (2018) · BMC Public Health · doi:10.1186/s12889-018-5627-y · Cited by 4 · see citing works
The effect of foetal and early childhood growth on metabolic derangements of Sri Lankan children
Wickramasinghe, P., & Arambepola, C. (2023) · BMC Pediatrics · doi:10.1186/s12887-022-03762-9 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Dabare, P. M., Waidyatilaka, I., Jayawardena, R., Wickremasinghe, R., Hills, A. P., Wickramasinghe, P., & Lanerolle, P. (2019) · International Journal of Clinical Trials · doi:10.18203/2349-3259.ijct20193216 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Maw, A. A., Thwin, T., Owino, V. O., & Ward, L. C. (2024) · Nutrition and Health · doi:10.1177/02601060241260983 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Vidanapathirana, D. M., Jasinge, E. A., Dulani, S., & Wickramasinghe, P. (2025) · BMC Pediatrics · doi:10.1186/s12887-025-05484-0 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Body composition of Sri Lankan children: Effects of ethnicity
Wickramasinghe, P. (2011) · Sri Lanka Journal of Child Health · doi:10.4038/sljch.v40i3.3506 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Hudda, M. T., van Niekerk, E., Sedumedi, C. M., Moeng-Mahlangu, L. T., Whincup, P. H., Reilly, J. J., Kruger, H. S., & Monyeki, M. A. (2025) · Diabetes Obesity and Metabolism · doi:10.1111/dom.70129 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Prediction Equation for Physical Activity Energy Expenditure in 11–13-Year-Old Sri Lankan Children
Dabare, P. M., Wickramasinghe, P., Waidyatilaka, I., Devi, S., Kurpad, A. V., Samaranayake, D., de Lanerolle-Dias, M., Wickremasinghe, R., Hills, A. P., & Lanerolle, P. (2023) · Nutrients · doi:10.3390/nu15040906 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
de Lanerolle-Dias, M., Lanerolle, P., de Silva, A., & Atukorala, S. (2012) · Sri Lanka Journal of Diabetes Endocrinology and Metabolism · doi:10.4038/sjdem.v2i1.4323 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Masa libre de gordura de niños saludables norteafricanos con 8-16 años de edad
Chortane, S. G., Saad, H. B., Ounis, O. B., Zouhal, H., Gazzah, M., & Tabka, Z. (2009) · Fitness & Performance Journal · doi:10.3900/fpj.8.4.237.s · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Hastuti, J., Rahmawati, N. T., Suriyanto, R. A., Wibowo, T., Nurani, N., Anindita, R., & Julia, M. (2019) · Pakistan Journal of Nutrition · doi:10.3923/pjn.2019.922.929 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Fat-free mass of healthy North African children aged 8-16 years
Chortane, S. G., Saad, H. B., Ounis, O. B., Zouhal, H., Gazzah, M., & Tabka, Z. (2009) · Fitness & Performance Journal · doi:10.3900/fpj.8.4.237.e · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Massa livre de gordura de crianças saudáveis norte-africanas com 8-16 anos de idade
Chortane, S. G., Saad, H. B., Ounis, O. B., Zouhal, H., Gazzah, M., & Tabka, Z. (2009) · Fitness & Performance Journal · doi:10.3900/fpj.8.4.237.p
Segmental bioelectrical impedance in the assessment of body composition of Sri Lankan children
Wickramasinghe, P., Lamabadusuriya, S., Cleghorn, G. J., & Davies, P. (2012) · Journal of the National Science Foundation of Sri Lanka · doi:10.4038/jnsfsr.v40i3.4697
Self-citationDE CRIANÇAS SAUDÁVEIS NORTE-AFRICANAS COM 8-16 ANOS DE IDADE
Chortane, S. G., & Saad, H. B. (2009)
EHMRK, E., & Mudiyanse, R. (2018) · Journal of Biotechnology and Bioengineering · doi:10.22259/2637-5362.0203001
Campa, F., Coratella, G., Cerullo, G., Noriega, Z., Francisco, R., Charrier, D., Irurtia, A., Lukaski, H. C., Silva, A. M., & Paoli, A. (2024) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.26727262
- Authors
- Wickramasinghe, V. P., Lamabadusuriya, S. P., Cleghorn, G. J., & Davies, P. S. W.
- Affiliations
- University of Colombo (LK)
- The University of Queensland (AU)
- Corresponding author
- Davies, P S W
- Venue
- European Journal of Clinical Nutrition
- Published
- 2007-08-15
- Volume
- 62
- Issue
- 10
- Pages
- 1170-1177
- ISSN
- 0954-3007 (ISSN-L)
- 1476-5640
- OpenAlex
- W1980486120
- Cited by
- 53
- References
- 22
- Citations by year
- 2025: 3 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 1 · 2015: 2 · 2013: 2 · 2012: 4
- FWCI
- 1.56
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Body Composition Measurement Techniques
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Electrical and Electronic Engineering › Electrical and Bioimpedance Tomography
- Keywords
- bioelectrical impedance analysis, body composition, total body water, fat-free mass, prediction equations, Sri Lankan children, South Asian populations, equation validation, isotope dilution
- MeSH terms
- Adipose Tissue, Adolescent, Algorithms, Body Composition, Body Height, Body Water, Body Weight, Child, Child, Preschool, Female, Humans, Male, Obesity, Predictive Value of Tests, Sensitivity and Specificity, Sri Lanka, Reproducibility of Results, Electric Impedance, Muscle, Skeletal, Body Fat Distribution
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review