Dr Hudda and colleagues have developed a novel prediction algorithm which accurately predicts lean and fat mass in children and adolescents using only readily available information on weight, height, age, sex and ethnicity (Hudda et al. BMJ 2019). This algorithm has been shown to provide fat mass estimates as accurate as those provided by established methods of bioimpedance and DXA (Hudda et al. Int J Obes 2020) and has now been extensively validated in 19 childhood settings outside of the UK (Hudda et al. BMJ 2022).
Ongoing research includes the use of this algorithm to assess the short- and long-term consequences of high childhood body fat levels as well as the development of body fat cut-offs which are indicative of the risk of chronic disease development.