Validity of using multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis to measure skeletal muscle mass in preschool children.

[Purposes] Although it is recommended to develop a habit of physical activities, there is no easy way to measure skeletal muscle mass in preschool children, which cause the difficulty of evaluation. The purpose of this study was to examine the validity of body composition including the skeletal muscle mass assessment using multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis by comparing body fat mass obtained by using multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis method and body mass index formulas. [Subjects and Methods] Ninety-four children were surveyed for age, height, weight, grip strength, maximum occlusal force, thickness of muscle and fat mass (masseter and lower limb), body fat mass, skeletal muscle mass, and calf circumference. We assessed additional parameters, which were thought to be related to skeletal muscle mass, to ensure validity. [Results] A strong correlation was found in body fat mass values obtained using the multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis method and those obtained using the body mass index formulas. Additionally, strong correlation coefficients were found between the skeletal muscle mass/height obtained using the multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis method and grip strength and calf circumference. [Conclusion] Our results indicate that skeletal muscle mass can be reliably measured using the multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis method in preschool children.

【目的】尽管提倡养成体育活动的习惯，但在学龄前儿童中，没有简便的方法来测量骨骼肌质量，这导致评估困难。本研究的目的是通过比较多频生物电阻抗分析法和身体质量指数公式所获得的体脂肪量，检验包括使用多频生物电阻抗分析法进行骨骼肌质量评估在内的身体成分的有效性。【对象与方法】对94名儿童进行了年龄、身高、体重、握力、最大咬合力、肌肉和脂肪厚度（咬肌和下肢）、体脂肪量、骨骼肌质量以及小腿围的调查。我们评估了被认为与骨骼肌质量相关的其他参数以确保有效性。【结果】多频生物电阻抗分析法所获得的体脂肪量值与身体质量指数公式所获得的值之间存在强相关性。此外，多频生物电阻抗分析法所获得的骨骼肌质量/身高与握力和小腿围之间存在强相关系数。【结论】我们的研究结果表明，在学龄前儿童中，可以使用多频生物电阻抗分析法可靠地测量骨骼肌质量。