A Non Population-Specific Method for Predicting Total Body Volume and Percent Fat

The validation of the segment zone approach as a non population-specific method for predicting total body volume and percent fat was investigated.The regression equation generated on 24 college-aged women, in a previous study, was validated on 47 prepubescent children, 22 college-aged men, 242 college-aged women, 84 middle-aged men and 60 middle-aged women. Segment zone girth measures were determined for all subjects. Criterion total body volume, density and percent fat were determined by hydrostatic weighing. Validation of the regression equation resulted in validity coefficients of r = .99. The error in calculating percent fat was below ± 6% for all samples of subjects. It was concluded that the multiple regression equations reported for predicting total body volume and percent body fat are not population specific