VALIDATION OF AN ANTHROPOMETRIC MODEL FOR TOTAL-BODY WATER DETERMINATION IN THE ELDERLY

An anthropometric model for determination of total body water (TBW) co nsisting of specific equations previously proposed by the authors: Men TBW (1) = 9.349 + 0.617Weight (kg) - 0.931Mid arm circunference (cm) + 0.122Dynamometry (kg), and women TBW (1) = -5.531 + 0.343Weight (kg) - 0.213Triceps Skinfold (mm)+ 0.148Dynamometry (kg) + 3.424Wrist diam eter (cm) was validated by comparing with deuterium dilution technique TBW measurement. The study was conducted in 41 healthy subjects, 20 m en and 21 women, selected to assure comparability with the previous st udy. The required anthropometric measurements for the model were done. Average TBW measured with anthropometric models was 29.4 (95% CI 27.6 ,31.2) for women and 34.5 (95% CI 32.5, 36.5) for men and. TBW values measured with isotopic dilution were 29.8 (95% CI 27.9,31.7) in women and 34.8 (95% CI 32.9,36.7). Bland and Altman analysis was used to com pare both methods. The mean difference (1) between measurements is 0.4 (95% CI -6.46,7.26) in women and 0.3 (95% CI -6.36, + 6.96) in men. T he excellent agreement between the model based on anthropometric varia bles and the isotope dilution technique for body composition allows it s utilization in the evaluation of nutritional status in the elderly. Furthermore, the validated model can be useful for clinical and epidem iological studies considering its low cost and easiness. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Inc.