Validity of two-component models for estimating body fat of black men

Commonly used two-component model conversion formulas that estimate relativ e body fat (%BF) from body density (Db) were cross-validated on a heterogen eous sample of black men (n = 30; age = 19-45 yr). A four-component model w as used to obtain criterion measures of %BF, and linear regression and anal ysis of individual residual scores were conducted to assess the predictive accuracy of the formulas under investigation. The two-component formula com monly used to estimate %BF of black men (Schutte JE, Townsend EJ, Hugg J, S houp RF, Malina RM, and Blomqvist CG. J Appl Physiol 56: 1647-1649, 1984) s ignificantly (P less than or equal to 0.01) and systematically (87% of samp le) overestimated %BF (-1.28%); thus we developed the following two-compone nt Db conversion formula: %BF = [(4.858/Db) - 4.394] x 100. Because our for mula was derived From a four-component model and a larger, more heterogeneo us sample than the commonly used two-component formula, we recommend using it to convert Db to %BF for black men. Additionally, there was good agreeme nt between dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and the four-component model, m aking this a suitable alternative for estimating the %BF of black men.