Validity of the methods to assess body fat in children and adolescents using multi-compartment models as the reference method: a systematic review

Objective

To analyze the validity of methods to assess body fat in children and adolescents using a systematic review.

Methods

The search was performed by two independent researchers using the MEDLINE, BioMed Central, SciELO, and LILACS electronic databases. For inclusion, the articles should have been written in English or Portuguese, and must have used multi-compartment models as the criterion measure of the model, with body fat measurement of the whole body in non-athlete children and adolescents.

Results

A preliminary search resulted in 832 studies. After all selection steps were performed, 12 articles were included. The selected studies were published between 1997 and 2010, whose samples consisted of children and adolescents with levels of relative body fat ranging from 20.7% to 41.4%. The methods used were: dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (58.3%), isotope dilution (41.6%), skinfold thickness (33.3%), hydrostatic weighing (25%), bioelectrical impedance analysis (25%), air displacement plethysmography (16.6%), and total body electrical conductivity (8.3%).

Conclusions

Based on the analysis of the studies, isotope dilution and air displacement plethysmography methods were the most reliable, despite the limited number of studies. As for clinical use or for population-based studies, the equation of Slaughter et al. (1988), which uses the triceps and subscapular skinfold thickness, showed the best results for assessment of body fat in this population.