Anthropometry and bioelectrical impedance inconsistently predicts fatness in women with regional adiposity

Purpose: This investigation examined the accuracy of several generalizable anthropometric (ANTHRO) and bioelectrical impedance (BIA) regression equati ons to estimate % body fat %BF) in women with either upper body (UB) or low er body (LB) far distribution patterns. Methods: Thirty-six premenopausal w omen were individually matched for age ((X) over bar = 38.6 +/- 6.6 yr). BM I ((X) over bar = 25.5 +/- 4.2 kg m(-2)) and %BF(30.3 +/- 8.1%; hydrostatic , [UWW]) and placed by waist to hip ratio (WHR) into two distinct groups: L B (N = 18: WHR less than or equal to 0.73) and UB (N = 18; WHR greater than or equal to 0.80). Equations tested were ANTHRO: Jackson et al. (JPW-7 and 3 site), 1980; Durnin and Womersley (DW), 1974; Tran and Weltman (TW), 198 9; and Vogel et al. (V), 1985; BLA: Lohman (L), 1992; Gray er al. (G), 1989 ; and VanLoan and Mayclin (VLM), 1987. Circumference and skinfold measures were made by a trained technician. BIA (Vallhalla, 1990B) measures were tak en 4 h postprandially under controlled conditions of water intake and exerc ise. % BF by UWW (criterion) was not different between groups (UB = 30.8 +/ - 8.2% LB = 29.7 +/- 8%). Results: In the UB group, three of five ANTHRO eq uations significantly overestimated %BF by approximately 6% (range = 3-8%) as compared with UWW. BIA overestimated %BF in UB by 5% using G and in both groups by about 6% using VLM, whereas L underestimated %BF in LB by about 4%. Conclusion: We conclude that ANTHRO and some BIA equations are accurate for predicting %BF in LB fat "shaped" women but are not appropriate for wo men with primarily abdominal fat patterning.