Accuracy of prediction equations to assess percentage of body fat in children and adolescents with Down syndrome compared to air displacement plethysmography

To determine the accuracy of the published percentage body fat (%BF) prediction equations (Durnin et al., Johnston et al., Brook and Slaughter et al.) from skinfold thickness compared to air displacement plethysmography (ADP) in children and adolescents with Down syndrome (DS). Twenty-eight children and adolescents with DS (10–20 years old; 12 girls, 16 boys) participated in the study. Anthropometric measurements height, weight, and skinfolds biceps, triceps, subscapular and suprailiac were performed following ISAK recommendations. Total body density (TBD) was estimated using three equations and was also measured with ADP; while %BF was calculated from all densities using the Siri equation and from skinfolds using the Slaughter et al. equation. Finally, the agreement between methods was assessed by plotting the results in Bland–Altman graphs. The presence of heteroscedasticity was also examined. Despite the equation of Slaughter et al. had a large 95% limits of agreement, it was the only one without a significant inter-methods difference and without heteroscedasticity. The equation of Slaughter seems to be, from the studied, the most accurate for estimating %BF in children and adolescents with DS.

► We studied accuracy of prediction equations to assess fat percent in youths with DS.
► We compared the equations with the ‘gold standard’: air displacement plethysmography.
► Slaughter's equation seems to be the most accurate.