Design and validation of equations for weight estimation in adolescents

Introduction: Measuring weight is difficult to be carried out in bedridden people, with physical deformity or in emergency units. Under these circumstances, one option is to estimate the weight. Objectives: The aim of this study is to propose and validate equations for estimating the weight of Brazilian adolescents based on anthropometric variables related to body weight. Methods: The study was developed based on a database created from data collection of a primary project, which had information from 662 Brazilian adolescents (10 to 19 years old). Based on the variables sex, age (days), weight (kg), height (m) and neck circumference (NC) (cm), equations for estimating weight of adolescents were proposed. The formulas were proposed after performing multiple linear regression models and subsequently tested and validated using appropriate statistical tests, considering 99% confidence. Results: Two formulas were generated, the “Rucco Formulas—Adolescents”, one for girls: -131.63091 + (0.00209 × A) + (37.57813 × H) + (3.71482 x NC) and another for boys: - 15.2854 + (-0.00414 × A)+ (14.30315 × H2)+ (0.04888 x NC2). Statistical test (R2) indicated that the proposed formulas are suitable for estimating weight. Low values of REQM and high values of CCI (> 0.8) also reinforce the quality of the proposed formulas. Conclusions: The current weight of adolescents can be estimated with adequate accuracy and precision using sex-specific “Rucco Formulas—Adolescents”, generated from regression models using only three predictor variables.