Development and validation of two equations based on anthropometry, estimating body fat for the Greek adult population

Objective: To validate anthropometric equations in the current literature predicting body fat percentage (%BF) in the Greek population, to develop and validate two anthropometric equations estimating %BF, and to compare them with the retrieved equations. Methods: Anthropometric data from 642 Greek adults were incorporated. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was used as reference method. The comparison with other equations was made using Bland-Altman analysis, intraclass correlation coefficient, and Lin's concordance correlation coefficient. Results: Nine of the thirty-one retrieved equations had no statistically significant bias. However, all of them had wide limits of agreement (±8.3 to ±16%BF). The equations accrued were: BF% = −0.615−10.948 × sex + 0.321 × waist circumference + 0.502 × hips circumference−0.39 × forearm circumference − 19.768 × height (m) and BF% = −27.787−5.515 × sex−8.419 × height + 0.145 × waist circumference + 0.270 × hips circumference + 7.509 × log of thigh skinfold + 20.090 × log of sum of skinfolds (bicep + tricep + suprailiac + subscapular)−0.445 × forearm circumference. Bland-Altman's reliability analysis showed no significant bias of −0.058 and −0.148%BF and limits of agreement ±8.100 and ±6.056%BF; the intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.955 and 0.976; and Lin's concordance correlation coefficient was 0.914 and 0.951, respectively. Conclusions: Literature equations performed moderately on this study's population. Therefore, two equations were designed and validated. The first one was simple and easily applicable, with measures obtained from a measuring tape, and the second one more complicated yet more accurate and reliable. Both were found to be reliable for the assessment of body composition in the Greek population. © 2017 The Obesity Society