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Tests for Body Fat in Children

Approximately 17% children in the US are overweight, according to the American Heart Association. In order to prevent overweight kids from turning into overweight adults with risks of heart diseases, constant monitoring of their body fat and proper counseling is essential.

  1. BMI for age

    • BMI is calculated by dividing weight by height squared.

      Body Mass Index (BMI) is calculated by dividing the body weight in kilograms by height in meters squared. For children, the BMI is age and gender specific. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention provides a BMI for age graph for reference on its website. It clearly states, however, that this is only an indication to fatness, and not a diagnostic tool.

    Waist-to-hip ratio

    • A waist-to-hip ratio above 1.0 is undesirable.

      The waist-to-hip ratio is a measurement used to calculate the proportion of fat stored in the abdomen and buttocks. A ratio more than 1.0 or higher is undesirable. The website rush.edu provides a calculator for it. The ratio is directly related to the development of heart diseases, diabetes and hypercholesterolemia.

    Waist Circumference

    • Waist circumference is one of the best anthropometric measures of fat.

      The April 2005 issue of the European Journal of Pediatrics suggests that waist circumference alone is a better indicator of body fat for children as compared to other anthropometric measurements. The March 2005 issue of Growth, Genetics and Hormones published percentile values for waist circumference for children.

    Skin Fold Thickness

    • Skin fold thickness is calculted at various parts of the body like arms and belly.

      The skin fold thickness is recorded on various points of the body using calipers. It is suggested as one of the best non-laboratory methods of body fat measurement by the American Journal of Public Health.

    Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry

    • DXA is one of the latest methods to calculate body fat.

      The dual energy x-ray absorptiometry, also known as DXA, scans the body and calculates the body fat mass, lean mass and bone mineral density. Various brands of DXA are available. In a study published by Dr. Deepa Pandit in November 2009 of the LA press, the DXA is described as the best measure of body fat. (see http://www.la-press.com/body-fat-percentages-by-dual-energy-x-ray-absorptiometry-corresponding-a1760)

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