Validation of a Skinfold Prediction Equation Based on Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry to Estimate Body Fat Percentage in Women

The purpose of this study was to validate an alternative skinfold equation for women created from dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Anthropometrics and a whole-body DXA scan were completed on 77 women (mean age: 28.0 +/- 10.2 years). Four Jackson-Pollack (JP) skinfold prediction equations and the DXA criterion (DC) equation were compared to DXA-derived body fat percentage (%BF). One-way repeated measures ANOVA revealed significant differences (p <= .001) in the %BF with post hoc-comparisons revealing significant differences among JP7 (21.3 +/- 5.7), JP4 (21.4 +/- 5.7), JP3a (22.2 +/- 5.9), and JP3b (22.6 +/- 5.7) when compared to the DXA-derived %BF; no significant difference existed between DC %BF (26.5 +/- 5.6) and DXA-derived %BF (26.5 +/- 5.4) (p = 1.0). The DC equation more accurately predicted %BF in women volunteers compared to Jackson-Pollack equations.