Utilization of body mass index and predictive equations for estimate body fat percentage

Abstract

Introduction: Due to the limitations of BMI to estimate of the body fat percentage may be an alternative. Objective: To compare BMI and technique of skinfold, to estimate the body fat percentage in adults regular exercise practitioners. Methods: Thirty-one subjects of 29.7 ± 4.4 years with a BMI of 24.4 ± 2.6 kg/m² had undergone to estimate the body fat percentage. Results: BMI underestimated the ratings of health and the equations of Gallagher et al. for men (18.0 ± 4.1 vs. 22.9 ± 4.4% fat), Deurenberg et al. and Lean et al. for women (30.1 ± 3.2 vs. 36.1 ± 4.6% fat, and 30.0 ± 3.3 vs. 36.1 ± 4.6% fat, respectively) showed differences when compared to the technique of skin folds. Conclusion: The use of BMI may underestimate the obesity rankings and generate different results for the estimation of body fat percentage.