HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Purchase Article View Shopping Cart Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Wells, J. C. Articles by Cole, T. J Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Wells, J. C. Articles by Cole, T. J Agricola Articles by Wells, J. C. Articles by Cole, T. J

Four-component model of body composition in children: density and hydration of fat-free mass and comparison with simpler models^1,2

Background: Body composition in children is generally measured by 2-component (2C) models, which are subject to error arising from variation in fat-free mass (FFM) composition. The 4-component (4C) model, which divides body weight into fat, water, mineral, and protein, can overcome these limitations.

Objective: The aims of our study were to 1) describe 4C model data for children aged 8–12 y; 2) evaluate interindividual variability in the hydration, bone mineral content, and density of FFM; 3) evaluate the success with which 2C models and bedside techniques measure body composition in this age group with use of the 4C model as a reference.

Design: Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, underwater weighing, deuterium dilution, bioelectrical impedance analysis, and anthropometry were used to determine body composition in 30 children. The contribution of methodologic error to the observed variability in the hydration and density of FFM was evaluated by using propagation of error.

Results: Mean (±SD) FFM density and hydration were 1.0864 ± 0.0074 kg/L and 75.3 ± 2.2%, respectively, and were significantly different from adult values (P < 0.02). Relative to the 4C model, deuterium dilution and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry showed no mean bias for fatness, whereas underwater weighing underestimated fatness (P < 0.025). Fatness determined by using skinfold-thickness and bioelectrical impedance analysis measurements along with published equations showed poor agreement with 4C model data.

Conclusions: Biological variability and methodologic error contribute equally to the variability of FFM composition. Our findings have major implications for bedside prediction methods used for children, traditionally developed in relation to underwater weighing.

Key Words: Body fat • dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry • total body water • 4-component model • bioelectrical impedance analysis • underwater weighing • skinfold thickness • fat-free mass • children

This article has been cited by other articles:

				J. C. Wells, J. E Williams, D. Haroun, M. S Fewtrell, A. Colantuoni, and M. Siervo Aggregate predictions improve accuracy when calculating metabolic variables used to guide treatment Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, February 1, 2009; 89(2): 491 - 499. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Chomtho, J. C. Wells, J. E Williams, A. Lucas, and M. S Fewtrell Associations between birth weight and later body composition: evidence from the 4-component model Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, October 1, 2008; 88(4): 1040 - 1048. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P L Griffiths, E K Rousham, S A Norris, J M Pettifor, and N Cameron Socio-economic status and body composition outcomes in urban South African children Arch. Dis. Child., October 1, 2008; 93(10): 862 - 867. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. A McCaffrey, K. L Rennie, M. A Kerr, J. M Wallace, M. P Hannon-Fletcher, W A. Coward, S. A Jebb, and M B. E Livingstone Energy density of the diet and change in body fatness from childhood to adolescence; is there a relation? Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, May 1, 2008; 87(5): 1230 - 1237. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. E. Campbell, R. Ostrowski, C. Hoarau, N. Durr, and M. P. Debreczeny A novel method to determine lean body water using localized skin biopsies: correlation between lean skin water and lean body water in an overhydration model Am J Physiol Regulatory Integrative Comp Physiol, November 1, 2006; 291(5): R1539 - R1544. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J C K Wells and M S Fewtrell Measuring body composition Arch. Dis. Child., July 1, 2006; 91(7): 612 - 617. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. E Williams, J. C. Wells, C. M Wilson, D. Haroun, A. Lucas, and M. S Fewtrell Evaluation of Lunar Prodigy dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry for assessing body composition in healthy persons and patients by comparison with the criterion 4-component model Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, May 1, 2006; 83(5): 1047 - 1054. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. J. Hoffman, A. L. Sawaya, P. A. Martins, M. A. McCrory, and S. B. Roberts Comparison of Techniques to Evaluate Adiposity in Stunted and Nonstunted Children Pediatrics, April 1, 2006; 117(4): e725 - e732. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. J Murphy, J. C. Wells, J. E Williams, M. S Fewtrell, P. S. Davies, and D. K Webb Body composition in children in remission from acute lymphoblastic leukemia Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, January 1, 2006; 83(1): 70 - 74. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J C K Wells, M S Fewtrell, P S W Davies, J E Williams, W A Coward, and T J Cole Prediction of total body water in infants and children Arch. Dis. Child., September 1, 2005; 90(9): 965 - 971. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Lof and E. Forsum Hydration of fat-free mass in healthy women with special reference to the effect of pregnancy Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, October 1, 2004; 80(4): 960 - 965. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. B. Sopher, J. C. Thornton, J. Wang, R. N. Pierson Jr, S. B. Heymsfield, and M. Horlick Measurement of Percentage of Body Fat in 411 Children and Adolescents: A Comparison of Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry With a Four-Compartment Model Pediatrics, May 1, 2004; 113(5): 1285 - 1290. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. J. Gately, D. Radley, C. B. Cooke, S. Carroll, B. Oldroyd, J. G. Truscott, W. A. Coward, and A. Wright Comparison of body composition methods in overweight and obese children J Appl Physiol, November 1, 2003; 95(5): 2039 - 2046. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. Dimitriou, C. Maser-Gluth, and T. Remer Adrenocortical activity in healthy children is associated with fat mass Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, March 1, 2003; 77(3): 731 - 736. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. Woodrow, B. Oldroyd, A. Wright, W. A. Coward, J. G. Truscott, J. H. Turney, A. M. Brownjohn, and M. A. Smith Comparison of anthropometric equations for estimation of total body water in peritoneal dialysis patients Nephrol. Dial. Transplant., February 1, 2003; 18(2): 384 - 389. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. W Taylor, I. E Jones, S. M Williams, and A. Goulding Body fat percentages measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry corresponding to recently recommended body mass index cutoffs for overweight and obesity in children and adolescents aged 3-18 y Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, December 1, 2002; 76(6): 1416 - 1421. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. A Bray, J. P DeLany, J. Volaufova, D. W Harsha, and C. Champagne Prediction of body fat in 12-y-old African American and white children: evaluation of methods Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, November 1, 2002; 76(5): 980 - 990. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Horlick, S. M Arpadi, J. Bethel, J. Wang, J. Moye Jr, P. Cuff, R. N Pierson Jr, and D. Kotler Bioelectrical impedance analysis models for prediction of total body water and fat-free mass in healthy and HIV-infected children and adolescents Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, November 1, 2002; 76(5): 991 - 999. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				H. R. Schmelzle and C. Fusch Body fat in neonates and young infants: validation of skinfold thickness versus dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, November 1, 2002; 76(5): 1096 - 1100. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. R Boye, T. Dimitriou, F. Manz, E. Schoenau, C. Neu, S. Wudy, and T. Remer Anthropometric assessment of muscularity during growth: estimating fat-free mass with 2 skinfold-thickness measurements is superior to measuring midupper arm muscle area in healthy prepubertal children Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, September 1, 2002; 76(3): 628 - 632. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				E. M Barden, D. A Kawchak, K. Ohene-Frempong, V. A Stallings, and B. S Zemel Body composition in children with sickle cell disease Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, July 1, 2002; 76(1): 218 - 225. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. A Fields, M. I Goran, and M. A McCrory Body-composition assessment via air-displacement plethysmography in adults and children: a review Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, March 1, 2002; 75(3): 453 - 467. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. N. Herndon, D. W. Hart, S. E. Wolf, D. L. Chinkes, and R. R. Wolfe Reversal of Catabolism by Beta-Blockade after Severe Burns N. Engl. J. Med., October 25, 2001; 345(17): 1223 - 1229. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J C K Wells Measurement: A critique of the expression of paediatric body composition data Arch. Dis. Child., July 1, 2001; 85(1): 67 - 72. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. A Bray, J. P DeLany, D. W Harsha, J. Volaufova, and C. C Champagne Evaluation of body fat in fatter and leaner 10-y-old African American and white children: the Baton Rouge Children's Study Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, April 1, 2001; 73(4): 687 - 702. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. G. Testolin, R. Gore, T. Rivkin, M. Horlick, J. Arbo, Z. Wang, G. Chiumello, and S. B. Heymsfield Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry: analysis of pediatric fat estimate errors due to tissue hydration effects J Appl Physiol, December 1, 2000; 89(6): 2365 - 2372. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. J. Ellis Human Body Composition: In Vivo Methods Physiol Rev, April 1, 2000; 80(2): 649 - 680. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				O. Dewit, N J Fuller, M. S Fewtrell, M Elia, and J C K Wells Whole body air displacement plethysmography compared with hydrodensitometry for body composition analysis Arch. Dis. Child., February 1, 2000; 82(2): 159 - 164. [Abstract] [Full Text]