Applicability of body adiposity index in estimating body fat of young brazilian women

INTRODUCTION: The estimation of body composition is an important study field in the prognosis and diagnosis of degenerative diseases. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the applicability of the Body Adiposity Index (BAI) and the skinfold thickness method. METHODS: The sample consisted of 19 young adult women with a mean age 24.53 ± 2.65 years, who underwent anthropometric measurements (circumferences and skinfold thickness) and dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). The estimated values were compared to the reference value by using the paired t test and by analysis of the level of association between the methods through the Pearson correlation. The level of significance was p<0.05. RESULTS: Showed no significant differences between the fat percentage estimated by the BAI and the reference values, however had moderate level of association (r=0.627). Nevertheless, the skinfold thickness method showed statistically significant difference (p>0.05) with a strong association level (r = 0.879). CONCLUSION: Although the BAI does not show difference to the estimated values, it is clear that further studies on the applicability of the method in the Brazilian population are necessary.