Deurenberg et al developed formulas for estimating percent body fat in children and adults based on age, gender and body mass index (BMI). The authors are from the Agricultural University of Wageningen in The Netherlands.
Parameters:
(1) age in years
(2) gender
(3) body mass index in kg per meter squared
Gender
Points
female
0
male
1
For pediatric patients <= 15 years
percent body fat as a number from 0 to 100 =
= (1.51 * (body mass index)) - (0.70 * (age in years)) - (3.6 * (points for gender)) + 1.4
For patients > 15 years
percent body fat as a number from 0 to 100 =
= (1.2 * (body mass index)) + (0.23 * (age in years)) - (10.8 * (points for gender)) -5.4
Performance:
• The equations tend to slightly overestimate percent body fat in obese patients.
• The prediction error was found by the authors to be comparable to anthropometric methods.
NOTE: Gallagher et al (see above) used similar parameters but also included race.
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