Preferential use of casing (girth) measures for estimating body volume and density.

Theoretical justification for the preferential use of casing (circumference) measurements for estimating total body volume (TBV) and body density (Db) was studied in 24 female subjects (mean age 20 yr, mean wt 58 kg). Multiple linear regression equations resulted in R = On-0.99 with a standard error no larger than 1.69 liters for predicting TBV and R = Oa-Oh with a standard error no larger than 0.0084 g/ml for predicting Db. Validations of these regression equations using two additional samples of subjects resulted in validity coefficients of r = 0 -0.99. All the correlation coefficients were statistically significant (P less than 0.01).