https://doi.org/10.5812/asjsm.34516

Predicting Body Composition in College Students Using the Womersley and Durnin Body Mass Index Equation

authors:

avatar Jeremy P. Loenneke 1 , * , avatar Kathryn M. Hirt 2 , avatar Jacob M. Wilson 3 , avatar Jeremy T Barnes 4 , avatar Thomas J Pujol 4

Department of Health and Exercise Science. The University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, USA
Cooper Aerobics, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
Department of Health Sciences and Human Performance, University of Tampa, Tampa, Florida, USA
Department of Health, Human Performance, and Recreation. Southeast Missouri State University, Cape Girardeau, Missouri, USA
Asian Journal of Sports Medicine: Vol.4, issue 2; 153-157
published online: February 15, 2013
article type: Research Article
received: August 15, 2012
accepted: February 11, 2013

how to cite: Loenneke J P, Hirt K M, Wilson J M, Barnes J T, Pujol T J. Predicting Body Composition in College Students Using the Womersley and Durnin Body Mass Index Equation. Asian J Sports Med. 2013;4(2):34516. https://doi.org/10.5812/asjsm.34516.

Abstract

Purpose:

When assessing fitness levels, body composition is usually measured. The purpose of this study was to determine the overall efficacy of a body mass index (BMI) equation for predicting body composition with respect to college aged participants.

Methods:

Body composition was measured using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and was estimated using the Womersley and Durnin BMI prediction equation.

Results:

There was no significant (P=0.8) percent body fat (%BF) difference between the BMI prediction equation and DXA (BMI Predicted=25 (10) [min=6; max=52] %BF vs DXA=25 (6) [min=10; max=45] %BF). In addition, a significant correlation was found between the two approaches (r=0.791, P=0.001). However, both the standard error of estimate (6.32 %BF) and total error (6.63 %BF) were outside acceptable ranges for prediction equations.

Conclusion:

The Womersley and Durnin equation for estimating %BF was not found to be a good estimate. Therefore, although the BMI predicted %BF has been previously found to predict skinfold estimated %BF, it does not appear valid in estimating %BF from DXA.

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