Pediatrics & Therapeutics
Open Access
ISSN: 2161-0665
+44 1478 350008
ISSN: 2161-0665
+44 1478 350008
Amanda Jansen van Rensburg, White Z and Wenhold F A M
University of Pretoria, South Africa
Scientific Tracks Abstracts: Pediatr Ther
Reference methods for determining body composition, such as dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) are accurate, precise and suitable for children. Th ey are however, costly, technically challenging, time-consuming and not always readily available. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is a convenient alternative. Th e Seca medical body composition analyzer (mBCA) 515/514 has not yet been validated for prediction of body composition in children. Th e objective of the study was to determine the agreement between fat-free mass (FFM), measured by DXA and calculated from multifrequency bioelectrical impedance using published prediction equations, in pre-adolescent children. Data were collected by means of a cross-sectional study on 83 conveniently sampled African children (44 girls, 39 boys; mean (SD) age 8.5 (1.4) years). Standing height was measured with a Seca 274 stadiometer and body weight using the seca mBCA 515/514. Body composition was measured with the mBCA 515/514 and whole-body DXA scans. Diff erences between measured and calculated FFM were tested for signifi cance by paired sample t-tests. Agreement between FFM from the reference method and the individual equations was explored using the Bland-Altman method and the intra-class correlation coeffi cients. Statistically signifi cant diff erences (p<0.05) between calculated and measured FFM were observed in all but three equations. Acceptable limits of agreement were identifi ed in two of these equations. For these equations, the Bland-Altman analysis showed a mean diff erence close to zero of 0.15 (-2.683; 2.374) and 0.01 (-2.681; 2.663). Th ese two equations can be used to calculate FFM in this specifi c population using impedance values from the Seca mBCA 515/514.
Amanda Jansen van Rensburg is a Registered Dietitian, completed her Bachelor of Dietetics degree at the University of Pretoria, South Africa in 2014. She is currently enrolled for a full-time Master’s degree in Dietetics. She is an ambitious health care professional with strong leadership and relationship-building skills. She has a special interest in pediatric nutrition.