Slaughter et al developed several equations for estimating percent body fat in pediatric patients using skinfold thickness measurements. The authors are from the University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign), University of Arizona, Ball State University, Northeast Missouri University and the US Department of Agriculture.
The equations are for PFDWB or percent body fat (PF) based on body density (D), water (W) and bone mineral (B).
Subjects: 8 to 18 years of age of Black and White races
Skin thickness measurements:
(1) triceps in mm
(2) calf in mm
(3) subscapular in mm
sum of triceps and calf skinfold thickness =
= (skinfold thickness of triceps in mm) + (skinfold thickness in calf)
sum of triceps and subscapular skinfold thickness =
= (skinfold thickness of triceps in mm) + (skinfold thickness in subscapular)
general equation for PF in males with triceps and subscapular skinfold sum is <= 35 mm =
= (1.21 * (sum of triceps and subscapular SFT)) - (0.008 * ((sum of triceps and subscapular SFT)^2)) - X
|
Race
|
Status
|
Value of X
|
|
white
|
prepubescent
|
1.7
|
|
white
|
pubescent
|
3.4
|
|
white
|
postpubescent
|
5.5
|
|
black
|
prepubescent
|
3.2
|
|
black
|
pubescent
|
5.2
|
|
black
|
postpubescent
|
6.8
|
equation for PF in females with triceps and subscapular skinfold sum is <= 35 mm =
= (1.33 * (sum of triceps and subscapular SFT)) - (0.013 * ((sum of triceps and subscapular SFT)^2)) - 2.4
equation for PF in males with triceps and subscapular skinfold sum is > 35 mm =
= (0.783 * (sum of triceps and subscapular SFT)) + 1.6
equation for PF in females with triceps and subscapular skinfold sum is > 35 mm =
= (0.546 * (sum of triceps and subscapular SFT)) + 9.7
equation for PF males using triceps and calf skinfold sum =
= (0.735 * (sum of triceps and subscapular SFT)) + 1.0
equation for PF females using triceps and calf skinfold sum =
= (0.610 * (sum of triceps and subscapular SFT)) + 5.1
Limitations:
• The values are estimates.
• The accuracy of equations using skinfold thickness depends on the accuracy of the skinfold thickness measurements. Skinfold thickness measurements must be taken using a standardized protocol.
