Predicting Body Composition in College Students Using the Womersley and Durnin Body Mass Index Equation

Purpose: when assessing fitness levels, body composition is usually measured. the purpose of this study was to determine the overall efficacy of a body mass index (bmi) equation for predicting body composition with respect to college aged participants. methods: body composition was measured using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (dxa) and was estimated using the womersley and durnin bmi prediction equation. results: there was no significant (p=0.8) percent body fat (%bf) difference between the bmi prediction equation and dxa (bmi predicted=25 (10) [min=6; max=52] %bf vs dxa=25 (6) [min=10; max=45] %bf). in addition, a significant correlation was found between the two approaches (r=0.791, p=0.001). however, both the standard error of estimate (6.32 %bf) and total error (6.63 %bf) were outside acceptable ranges for prediction equations. conclusion: the womersley and durnin equation for estimating %bf was not found to be a good estimate. therefore, although the bmi predicted %bf has been previously found to predict skinfold estimated %bf, it does not appear valid in estimating %bf from dxa.