Body composition assessment in a sample of eight-year-old children

Objective: We assessed the body composition of 8-y-old children living in Livorno through the integration of bioelectrical and anthropometric evaluations. Methods: The study, conducted during December 2005, involved 8-y-old third graders of Livorno, Italy. We collected for each subject (449 children, 210 female and 239 male) anthropometric parameters and carried out bioelectrical impedance test with a STA/BIA Soft Tissue Analyzer. Data were processed with SPSS 14.0. Results: According to anthropometric parameters, a statistically significant difference between genders was found only for height. Percentages of overweight and obese children by gender were 13.9 and 2.4 for girls and 21.3 and 2.1 for boys (P < 0.05). No significant differences were observed for weight, height, and body mass index percentiles from national reference values, whereras significant differences were found in mid-upper arm circumference between our sample and—lacking national data—the reference (U.S.) population for age and gender. With regard to bioelectrical impedance analysis, a common trend of distribution was observed in both genders toward the left and the area above the spatial ellipses and a statistically significant difference between genders for all parameters with the exception of phase angle. A gradual mean impedance shortening vector was observed with an increase of body mass index or mid-upper arm circumference. The comparison of the two techniques showed a good relation between anthropometric and bioelectrical parameters. Conclusion: An integrated interpretation of bioelectrical impedance analysis and anthropometry, demonstrated by the correlation of many parameters between the two techniques, seems to emerge as a good indication of nutritional status for most children of both genders.