Johnston et al estimated body density in children based on skinfold thickness measurements. The authors are from the University of Alberta in Edmonton.
Patient selection: children from 8 to 14 years of age
Parameters:
(1) gender
(2) biceps skinfold in mm
(3) triceps skinfold in mm
(4) subscapular skinfold in mm
(5) suprailiac skinfold in mm
body density of boys in g/cc =
= 1.166 - (0.070 * LOG10(SUM all 4 skinfolds))
body density of girls in g/cc =
= 1.144 - (0.060 * LOG10(SUM all 4 skinfolds))
NOTE: The authors report density in kg per cubic meter. It should be kg per liter. A cubic meter is 1,000 liters.
Once the density is known, then the percent body fat can be estimated using the equation of Lohman et al (above)
Performance:
• The r-squared for boys was 0.492 and for girls was 0.452.
