Determination of body composition in children with cerebral palsy: bioelectrical impedance analysis and anthropometry vs dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry

The object of this study was to determine whether bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and anthropometry can be used to determine body composition for clinical and research purposes in children with cerebral palsy. Eight individuals with cerebral palsy (two female, mean age=10 years, mean gross motor function classification=4.6 [severe motor impairment]) recruited from an outpatient tertiary care setting underwent measurement of fat mass, fat-free mass, and percentage body fat using BIA, anthropometry (two and four skinfold equations), and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Correlation coefficients were calculated for fat mass, fat-free mass, and percent body fat for these measures as determined by BIA and anthropometry when compared with dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Correlation coefficients were excellent for determination of fat-free mass for all methods (ie, all were above 0.9). Correlations were moderate for determination of fat mass and percent body fat (range=0.4 to 0.8).