Skip to main content
ARS Home » Southeast Area » Little Rock, Arkansas » Arkansas Children's Nutrition Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #224074
Title: Assessing body composition in infants and toddlers

Author
item ANDRES, ALINE - ACNC/UAMS
item GILCHRIST, JANET - ACNC/UAMS
item BADGER, THOMAS - ACNC/UAMS

Submitted to: International Journal of Body Composition Research
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/12/2008
Publication Date: 12/15/2008
Citation: Andres, A., Gilchrist, J.M., Badger, T.M. 2008. Assessing body composition in infants and toddlers [abstract]. International Journal of Body Composition Research. 6(2):Program 110.

Interpretive Summary: We looked at body fat measurement techniques in infants and toddlers from the Beginnings study. Body fat was measured at 3-months and 2-, 3-, 4- years using Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA), Air Displacement Plethysmography (ADP), and Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA). Standard growth and arm measures were also taken. At 3-months ADP was similar to DXA and growth and arm measures. At 2-, 3-, and 4- years the relationship between BIA and DXA was weak. BIA did not relate well to most arm measurements and not to growth measures. Also, the relationship between DXA and growth and arm measures was weak. For all ages growth and arm circumference measures were strongly related. In conclusion, assessment of body fat in infant and toddler is best achieved using ADP or DXA.

Technical Abstract: The objective of this study was to compare different body composition techniques in infants and toddlers. Anthropometric measures including mid-upper arm circumference (MAC), triceps skinfold thickness (TSF), and weight-for-height or -length Z-scores (WHZ), and measures of body fat mass assessed with Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA, Hologic 4500A, Bedford, MA), Air Displacement Plethysmography (ADP, PEA POD®; Life Measurement Inc., Concord, CA), and Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA, Hydra ECF/ICF 4200, Xitron Technologies Inc., San Diego, CA) were assessed at 3 months and 2, 3, and 4 years of age. Participants were part of the on-going prospective, longitudinal Beginnings study. At 3 months of age, body fat mass assessed by ADP was strongly correlated to body fat assessed with DXA (r=0.85, p<0.01, N=23). The relationships between body fat mass assessed by ADP and TSF, MAC and WHZ were also positive but weaker (r=0.40, r=0.56, and r=0.58, respectively, p<0.01, N=78). Within the anthropometric measures, MAC and WHZ were strongly correlated (r=0.61, p<0.01, N=78). At 2, 3, and 4 years of age (N=80), the correlation between body fat mass assessed by BIA and body fat mass assessed by DXA was weak (r=0.46, p<0.01). BIA measures of body composition were poorly correlated to TSF (r=0.27, p=0.02), and not related to MAC (r=0.04, P>0.05) or WHZ (r=0.18, p>0.05). The association between DXA measures of body composition and TSF (r=0.43, p<0.01), MAC (r=0.41, p<0.01) and WHZ (r=0.48, p<0.01) were weak although significant. Within the anthropometric measures, MAC and WHZ were strongly correlated (r=0.75, p<0.01). In conclusion, assessment of body composition in infant and toddler is best achieved using ADP or DXA.