Body composition in urban South Asian women; development of a bioelectrical impedance analysis prediction equation

• Published in: Annals of human biology Vol. 40; no. 4; pp. 360 - 367
• Main Authors: Waidyatilaka, Indu, Lanerolle, Pulani, de Lanerolle-Dias, Maduka, Atukorala, Sunethra, de Silva, Angela
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Informa UK Ltd 01.07.2013; Taylor & Francis
• Subjects: Adult; Asian; BIA; Body Composition; Body Water - metabolism; Deuterium - metabolism; Electric Impedance; European Continental Ancestry Group; Female; Humans; Indicator Dilution Techniques; Middle Aged; Models, Biological; Sri Lanka; Urban Population; Sri Lanka
• ISSN: 0301-4460; 1464-5033; 1464-5033
• DOI: 10.3109/03014460.2013.787120

Abstract Background: Assessment of body composition plays a significant role in combating chronic disease among South Asians. Accurate assessment of body composition by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) requires population-specific equations which are currently unavailable for urban South Asian women. Aim: To assess validity of direct BIA assessment and selected equations for prediction of total body water (TBW), against Deuterium (2H2O) dilution and develop and validate a population-specific TBW equation for urban South Asian women. Subjects and method: Data of 80 urban Sri Lankan women (30-45 years) were used for this analysis. Body composition was assessed by 2H2O dilution (reference) and BIA. Available BIA equations were assessed for validity. A new TBW equation was generated and validated. Results: Direct BIA measurements and other equations did not meet validation criteria in predicting TBW. TBW by the new equation (TBW = 3.443 + 0.342 × (height2/impedance) + 0.176 × weight) correlated (p < 0.001) with TBW by reference method. TBW using the new equation was not significantly different (25.30 ± 2.4 kg) from the reference (25.32 ± 2.7 kg). Conclusion: Direct use of TBW by instrument and existing equations are less suitable for this population. The new TBW equation is suitable for body composition assessment in urban South Asian women.