A Comparison between Multiple Regression Models and CUN-BAE Equation to Predict Body Fat in Adults

Pilar Fuster-Parra, Miquel Bennasar-Veny, Pedro Tauler, Aina Yañez, Angel A. López-González, Antoni Aguiló, Marià Alemany
2015 PLoS ONE  
Because the accurate measure of body fat (BF) is difficult, several prediction equations have been proposed. The aim of this study was to compare different multiple regression models to predict BF, including the recently reported CUN-BAE equation. Methods Multi regression models using body mass index (BMI) and body adiposity index (BAI) as predictors of BF will be compared. These models will be also compared with the CUN-BAE equation. For all the analysis a sample including all the participants
more » ... and another one including only the overweight and obese subjects will be considered. The BF reference measure was made using Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis. Results The simplest models including only BMI or BAI as independent variables showed that BAI is a better predictor of BF. However, adding the variable sex to both models made BMI a better predictor than the BAI. For both the whole group of participants and the group of overweight and obese participants, using simple models (BMI, age and sex as variables) allowed obtaining similar correlations with BF as when the more complex CUN-BAE was used (ρ = 0:87 vs. ρ = 0:86 for the whole sample and ρ = 0:88 vs. ρ = 0:89 for overweight and obese subjects, being the second value the one for CUN-BAE). Conclusions There are simpler models than CUN-BAE equation that fits BF as well as CUN-BAE does. Therefore, it could be considered that CUN-BAE overfits. Using a simple linear regression PLOS ONE |
doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0122291 pmid:25821960 pmcid:PMC4379185 fatcat:hfogq5k37rgodfbx4ou3ylzaru