Ruff and Jamison described the trunk frame index (TFI) as a measure appropriate for comparing people with different body proportions. The authors are from the Johns Hopkins University and Indiana University.
Parameters:
(1) trunk frame size (see 02.16.02), derived from:
(1a) sitting height in cm
(1b) bi-iliac breadth (as a measure of relative body breadth) in cm
(2) body weight in kilograms
trunk frame size in square cm =
= (sitting height in cm) * (bi-iliac breadth in cm)
trunk frame index =
= (body weight in kg) / trunk frame size in square cm) * 1000
Performance:
• The authors felt that the trunk frame size is more appropriate than stature for calculating body mass indices.
• The TFI shows less systematic bias than the body mass index (BMI), which tends to overestimate obesity in certain racial groups. It shows a better correlation with skinfold measurements in Inupiat children than the BMI.
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