Equation to estimate body weight in elderly Mexican women using anthropometric measurements

Introduction: Body weight is useful for many medical and nutritional procedures. When it is difficult or impossible to measure body weight in hospitalized/institutionalized elderly, it can be estimated through equations based on anthropometry generated in other countries, although their validity in other contexts has been poorly studied. Objectives: To create and validate an equation for estimating body weight for both, hospitalized and nursing home residents Mexican elderly women (institutionalized) using anthropometric measurements. Methods: A validation study was carried out in elderly women (≥ 60 years old), admitted to the Geriatrics Service of the Hospital Civil de Guadalajara “Fray Antonio Alcalde” during February-April 19th (n = 43) and April 20th-June 2005 (n = 29), and elderly women residing in three nursing homes in the Metropolitan Area of Guadalajara evaluated during June 2003-June 2004 (n = 23). Subjects were weighed using a scale which was adapted to their clinical situation and were anthropometrically assessed. In the first sample, we generated a new equation using multiple regression analyses. Then, the equation was validated in the other two samples. We also estimated weight using Chumlea’s equations: in all samples, estimated and actual weights were compared between each other through a paired t-test. A p < 0.05 was considered as significant. Results: Mean ages in each sample were: 84.3 ± 7.3, 84.4 ± 9.1, and 84.2 ± 8.5 years, respectively. Mean actual weights were: 48.2 ± 13.5, 48.1 ± 10.1, and 55.0 ± 12.3 kg, respectively. The resulting equation was: estimated