1Department of Physiotherapy, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City., Nigeria
2Department of Physiotherapy, University Health Service, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
Online published on 25 November, 2013.
The introduction and application of an instrument to measure an attribute or several attributes should be preceded by the establishment of the psychometric properties of such instrument. One of such properties is validity. The study is aimed at finding out the validity of the Omron BF 302 body fat monitor.
The study involved 139 subjects comprising 75 men and 64 women. Their ages ranged from 21–71 years. Weight and height were measured using appropriate instruments and body mass index was calculated. Percentage fat and fat mass were measured using the Omron BF 302 body fat monitor. Descriptive statistics of mean and standard deviation were used to present values and Pearson correlation coefficient method was employed to determine the relationship between the calculated body mass index (BMI) and percent body fat and fat mass.
The BMI correlated strongly and positively with both % fat and fat mass (r= 0.835 and r=0.893 respectively) at level of significance of p=0.000. Weight also had positive correlations with % fat and fat mass while height was negatively correlated with % fat but positively with fat mass.
The Omron BF 302 body fat monitor is a valid indicator of body fatness in adults. The Omron BF 302 body fat monitor has high sensitivities and specificities and therefore is a valid measure of obesity in adults. It is recommended for use in adult populations.
