Estimation of energy stores of mentally retarded individuals.

Average caloric intake over 6 days, age, sex, height, weight, mid arm circumference, and triceps skinfold were determined for 31 females and 49 males ages 17 to 36 living in a residential care facility for mentally retarded persons. Ideal body weight, body mass index (W/H2), percentiles for arm muscle area, arm fat area, and triceps skinfold were determined to interpret the anthropometric measurements. Pearson r correlation coefficients were calculated to compare relative merits of ideal body weight, body mass index, percentile for arm muscle area, arm fat area, and triceps skinfold as an estimation of energy stores. Correlations suggest that body mass index is a more practical tool for estimation of energy stores.