Anthropometric Determination of Body Density in Prepubescent Males, Aged 7-11

Abstract

The purpose of this investigation was to develop multiple regression equations to predict body density in prepubescent males using the Harpenden, Lange, and Fat-0-Mate%- skinfold calipers. The subjects were 59 males aged 7-11 years (y = 9.3 +/- 1.2), body weight of 34.5 kg (28.4), height of 139.9 cm (210.5) and body density of 1.0506 gm/cc (t.0128). Variables assessed included 12 skinfold sites , 8 body circumferences, 7 body diameters, residual volume (via closed circuit oxygen dilution) and the Jensen modification of hydrostatic weighing. Independent variables for each caliper were anterior thigh, triceps and abdominal skinfolds (Harpenden): anterior thigh, biceps and abdominal skinfolds (Lange) I and anterior thigh, biceps, calf and abdominal skinfolds (Fat-0-Meter) with multiple R's of .93, .93 and. -94 respectively ( all (all p<.0l) . Skinfold measures between callipers showed high intercorrelations (r = .98). Repeated measures analysis of variance showed no differences in the calculated densities between calipers or hydrostatic weighing. The following conclusions were drawn (1) use of any of the 3 calipers to predict density from their specific equation will result in a favorable estimate of density, as measured by hydrostatic weighing, in prepubescent males, (2) the anterior thigh was the best predictor of body density in this age group and (3) skinfold measures between calipers showed high intercorrelations (r = .98).