Validity of Body-Composition Methods across Racial and Ethnic Populations.
Adv Nutr
; 12(5): 1854-1862, 2021 10 01.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-33684215
ABSTRACT
Multi-compartment body-composition models that divide the body into its multiple constituents are the criterion method for measuring body fat percentage, fat mass, and fat-free mass. However, 2- and 3-compartment body-composition devices such as air displacement plethysmography (ADP), DXA, and bioelectrical impedance devices [bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA)] are more commonly used. Accurate measures depend on several assumptions, including constant hydration, body proportion, fat-free body density, and population characteristics. Investigations evaluating body composition in racial and ethnic minorities have observed differences in the aforementioned components between cohorts. Consequently, for racial/ethnic minority populations, estimates of body composition may not be valid. The purpose of this review was to comprehensively examine the validity of common body-composition devices in multi-ethnic samples (samples including >1 race/ethnicity) and in African-American, Hispanic, Asian, and Native American populations. Based on the literature, DXA produces valid results in multi-ethnic samples and ADP is valid for Hispanic and African American males when utilizing race-specific equations. However, for DXA and ADP, there is a need for validity investigations that include larger, more racially diverse samples, specifically including Hispanic/Latinx, Asian, Native American adults, and African-American females. Technology has advanced significantly since initial validity studies were conducted; therefore, conclusions are based on outdated models and software. For BIA, body-composition measures may be valid in a multi-ethnic sample, but the literature demonstrates disparate results between races/ethnicities. For BIA and ADP, the majority of studies have utilized DXA or hydrostatic weighing as the criterion to determine validity; additional studies utilizing a multi-compartment model criterion are essential to evaluate accuracy. Validity studies evaluating more recent technology in larger, more racially/ethnically diverse samples may improve our ability to select the appropriate method to accurately assess body composition in each racial/ethnic population.
Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Ethnicity
/
Minority Groups
Type of study:
Prognostic_studies
Aspects:
Determinantes_sociais_saude
Limits:
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Language:
En
Journal:
Adv Nutr
Year:
2021
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country: