Comparison of body composition analysis methods among centenary women: Seeking simpler methods

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the most commonly used body composition tools in clinical practice, such as anthropometry and electrical bioimpedance, and compare it with deuterium oxide. METHODS: An exploratory cross-sectional study was conducted on women aged 100 years or above at home. Body composition was determined by measuring skinfolds (Jackson and Pollock and Durnin and Womersley equations), by bioimpedance, and by the deuterium oxide method. RESULTS: Body mass index values were lower than 22 kg/m(2) in 64% of the subjects. When the various methods used were compared with deuterium oxide, there was better agreement for the determination of fat mass than lean mass. For fat mass, agreement was better when using bioimpedance (Lin’s coefficient = 0.70), whereas for lean mass, agreement was better using the Durnin and Womersley equation (Lin’s coefficient = 0.51). CONCLUSION: It is possible to use bioimpedance and skinfolds to evaluate fat mass and lean mass, respectively, in centenarians.