| Abstract | dc.description.abstract | Validated equations to measure body composition in
Chilean preschool children are lacking, since the only international equation available was
developed in obese, and undernourished caucasian children. Due to the increase in overweight and
obesity in Chile, it is essential to have simple and reliable instruments to assess children. Aim: To
design and validate anthropometric equations to estimate body fat (BF) and total body water (TBW)
to be applicable in children aged 3 to 5 years, using deuterated water dilution as a reference
method. Materials and Methods: Weight, height, circumferences and skinfold thickness were
evaluated in 238 children aged 3 to 5 years, attending Junta Nacional de Jardines Infantiles (JUNJI).
Several equations were developed using multiple regression models to estimate body water and fat.
The proposed equations were validated against a sample of 77 children previously evaluated, using
Bland and Altman agreement analysis, that compares average differences of both methods with the
average of predicted and estimated values. Results: New equations for TBW and BF were obtained,
accounting for 86% and 72% in estimated variability. The agreement analysis showed a mean
difference 0.001 ± 0.32 and 0.07 ± 0.56 kg, for TBW and BF, respectively, confirming the validity of
the equations. Conclusions: The new validated equations in chilean children aged 3 to 5 years,
have an adequate and predictive capacity, especially useful for evaluating TBW and BF change in cohorts | en_US |
