Skinfold thickness measurements are better predictors of body fat percentage than body mass index in male Spanish children and adolescents

Objective: To develop equations, from some simple anthropometric measurements, for the prediction of body density from underwater weighing in male spanish children and adolescents. Subjects: One hundred and seventy-five males, aged 7.0-16.9 y, participated in this study, they were recruited from primary and secondary schools. Measurements: Body weight and height and skinfold thicknesses by anthropometry, body density by underwater weighing. Results: Correlations between body density and body mass index (BMI) were high until 14.0-16.9 y. Correlations between body density and log Sigma 4 skinfolds were higher than those with BMI at all ages. Log Sigma 4 skinfolds explained between 61% (14.0-16.9 y) and 68% (11.0-13.9 y) of the body density variance. Regression equations for body density from BMI and triceps skinfold thickness explained between 51% (14.0-16.9 y) and 68% (7.0-10.9 y) of the body density variance. Conclusions: The best estimators of body density in the children and adolescents studied were log Sigma 4 skinfolds and a combination of BMI and triceps skinfold.