ABSTRACT
The accuracy of body mass indices (BMIs), such as Quetelet's index, for the definition of obesity was investigated in a large sample of healthy humans. Two hundred thirteen women and 150 men with a wide spectrum of weights, heights, and ages underwent densitometric analysis for the determination of percent body fat (%BF). %BF was then contrasted with various well-established BMIs. Although %BF was correlated with all the BMIs (r = 0.60-0.82), applying objective definitions of obesity based on BMIs or %BF by densitometry often produced conflicting results. It was also found that the 95% confidence intervals for predicting %BF by using Quetelet's index were very wide. Because of the wide variation for individuals between densitometrically determined body fat and body fat as estimated by BMIs, we conclude that BMIs should be used with caution as indicators of obesity.
Subject(s)
Body Constitution/physiology , Body Mass Index , Obesity/classification , Adipose Tissue/physiology , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Body Height , Body Weight , Densitometry , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Sex Factors , Thinness/classificationABSTRACT
Indirect calorimetry was used to measure resting metabolic rates (RMR), and densitometry and anthropometry were used to measure body fat and fat-free masses of 32 adults with very short stature. Twenty-seven of them were achondroplastic dwarfs. Their results were compared to those obtained from 103 lean and obese adults with normal heights. All 32 dwarfs had distinctly greater RMR per kg fat-free mass by densitometry than adults with average stature. However, there was a wide variation in the RMR among dwarfs, which was independent of leanness or obesity. In spite of increased RMR, obesity among dysplastic adult dwarfs was twice as prevalent as among average-height adults. Increased abdominal:hip ratios were prevalent among dwarfs, but these ratios do not reflect body fat. Body mass indices were worthless, and skinfold thicknesses and other anthropometric measurements were of very limited value in predicting the body fat of dwarfs. Although our new and specific equations for estimating RMR and body composition give reasonable values, we recommend that the caloric requirements and body compositional variables be measured if nutritional therapy is needed to induce weight loss or gain in Little People.
