Derivation of Anthropometry Based Body Fat Equations for the Army's Weight Control Program
Abstract
Large inter-observer variability is a major disadvantage to the use of skinfold measurements for the prediction of percent body fat. This is particularly relevant in the Army's weight control program where standardized training is difficult for the large number of required observers located worldwide and who frequently turn over due to reassignment. This necessitated the development of an alternative method that required no formal training, could be administered by non-technical personnel and had low inter-observer variability. This report describes circumference-based equations that were developed to replace the skinfold equations. The equation selected for males was: % body fat = 46.892 - (68.678 x Log(10) height) + (76.462 x Log(10) (abdominal circumference - neck circumference)) with a R of 0.817 and a SEE of 4.020. The selected female equation was: % BF = -35.601 - (0.515 x height) + (0. 173 x hip circumference) - (1.574 x forearm circumference) - (0.533 x neck circumference) - (0.200 x wrist circumference) + (105.328 x Log(10) weight) with a R of 0.82 and SEE of 3.598. The equations apply to all ages and racial groups. Conversion tables were developed for easy calculation of percent body fat from the raw measurements of circumferences, height and weight. The equations better predict % body fat measured by hydrostatic weighing than do the previously used Durnin-Womersley skinfold equations when considering all ages, racial groups and degrees of adiposity.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1988
- Accession Number
- ADA197706
Entities
People
- E. A. Harman
- J. A. Hodgdon
- J. A. Vogel
- J. W. Kirkpatrick
- P. I. Fitzgerald
Organizations
- United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine