Skinfold Measurement

Taking skinfold measurements is a common method for determining body fat composition. Accurate measurement technique is important. Here is the standard technique that is used. You should read this information in conjunction with the description of each of the standard measurement sites.

equipment: skinfold calipers, tape measure procedure: Estimation of body fat by skinfold thickness measurement. Measurement can use from 3 to 9 different standard anatomical sites around the body. The right side is usually only measured (for consistency). The tester pinches the skin at the appropriate site to raise a double layer of skin and the underlying adipose tissue, but not the muscle. The calipers are then applied 1 cm below and at right angles to the pinch, and a reading in millimeters (mm) taken two seconds later. The mean of two measurements should be taken. If the two measurements differ greatly, a third should then be done, then the median value taken. the sites: there are many common sites at which the skinfold pinch can be taken. See thedescriptions and photographs of each skinfold site.

There are many sites around the human body at which the skinfold pinch can be taken. The most common sites are featured below, with some of the less common and outdated sites also listed. Whenever skinfold measures are taken, it is important for accuracy to find the correct location to take the skinfold pinch, and therefore the correct anatomical terms are used to describe the landmarks. On many of these descriptions I have added lay terms (in brackets) that may help the non-medically trained users to find the correct sites for taking the skinfold measurements. The caliper is applied 1 cm below and at right angles to the pinch - see the general skinfold procedure for more details.

Standard Skinfold Sites

Triceps

Biceps

Subscapular

Thigh

Iliac Crest

Supraspinale

Abdominal

Calf

Other Traditional Sites

Chest

Axilla

equipment required: skinfold calipers (e.g. Harpenden, Slimglide, Lange). These should be calibrated for correct jaw tension and gap width. Read the Skinfold Guide for comparison of available calipers. target population: suitable for all populations, though it is sometimes difficult to get reliable measurements with obese people. validity: using skinfold measurements is not a valid predictor of percent body fat, however they can be used as a monitoring device to indicate changes in body composition over time. It is important to maintain correct calibration of the calipers (more about calibrating calipers) reliability: the reliability of skinfold measurements can vary from tester to tester depending on their skill and experience. There are accreditation courses available through ISAK. advantages: Skinfold measurements are widely utilized to assess body composition. It is a lot simpler than hydrostatic weighing and many of the other body composition techniques. After the original outlay for calipers, the daily tests costs are minimal. other considerations: some subjects may feel uncomfortable stripping down in front of the tester, therefore every effect should be made to make them feel comfortable. For legal reasons, it is wise to have another person present, and to have females testers for female subjects. The right side measurement is standard, though in some situations you may need to test someone on the left side. If so, you must record this and endeavor to always test on the same side for that person. Reasons for testing on the left side may include injuries, amputation, deformities, or other medical conditions.

keywords: Caliper adipometro, plicometro, Adipometro reference:

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International Standards for Anthropometric Assessment (2001) published by The International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry (ISAK)

Hydrostatic Weighing
Hydrostatic weighing, also known as Hydrodensitometry or underwater weighing, is a classic measure of body composition.

purpose: the aim of underwater weighing is to measure the density of the body, and from that figure calculate percentage body fat equipment required: Hydrostatic stainless steel weighing tank, including underwater mounted chair and scale, weighted belt and nose clip. A more simple set up may include a chair and scale suspended from a diving board over a pool or hot tub. procedure: The dry weight of the subject is first determined. The subject, in minimal clothing, then sits on a specialized seat, expels all the air from their lungs, and is lowered into the tank until all body parts are emerged. The person must remain motionless underwater while the underwater weight is recorded. This procedure is repeated several times to get a dependable underwater weight measure. See videos about Hydrostatic Weighing. scoring: Body density = Wa / (((Wa - Ww) / Dw) - (RV + 100cc)), where Wa = body weight in air (kg), Ww = body weight in water (kg), Dw = density of water, RV = residual lung volume, and 100cc is the correction for air trapped in the gastrointestinal tract. The body density (D) can be converted to percent bodyfat (%BF) using the Siri equation. For more accuracy residual lung volume (RV) should be physically measured, though there are calculations for RV estimation. One estimation of residual volume is one third of forced vital capacity (FVC). See lung function tests.

advantages: Underwater weighing is the most widely used test of body density and in the past was the criterion measure for other indirect measures. disadvantages: The equipment required to do underwater weighing is expensive. The tanks are mostly located at university or other research institutions, and there is generally not easy access for the general population. validity: This method may underestimate body fat percentage of athletes as they tend to have denser bones and muscles than non-athletes, and may overestimate body fat percentage of elderly patients suffering from osteoporosis.

comments: The water temperature is often elevated to provide a comfortable experience for the subject, however the density of water is dependent on the temperature and should be factored into the equation.

Bioelectric Impedance

equipment required: A Bioelectric Impedance Analyzer is a sophisticated scientific instrument, used in research and analysis. On a budget level, many bathroom type weighing scales are also available with a Bioelectric Impedance Analyzer, which is two built-in footpad electrodes on the base of the scale which the person stands on. procedure: As the bioelectric impendence device measures the resistance of body tissues to the flow of a small electrical signal, the person being measured should not be in contact with any other non conducting surface, with legs apart and arms away from the body. Some devices require a pair of electrodes are placed on the hand and wrist, and another pair placed on the ankle and foot (usually opposite sides of the body), while other devices simply require you to stand on two foot plates. Follow the instructions of your particular device. See Video of a BI Test. how it works: Bioelectrical impedance measures the resistance of body tissues to the flow of a small, harmless electrical signal. The proportion of body fat can be calculated as the current flows more easily through the parts of the body that are composed mostly of water (such as blood, urine & muscle) than it does through bone, fat or air. It is possible to predict how much body fat a person has by combining the bioelectric impendence measure with other factors such as height, weight, gender, fitness level and age.

advantages: this method of body composition analysis is very simple and quick to perform, and if you have the right equipment can be done at home. disadvantages: The equipment is relatively expensive (units on the low end of the scale are available for about $100), with prices ranging up to thousands of dollars. reliability: The impedance measure is affected by body hydration status, body temperature, time of day, and therefore requires well controlled conditions to get accurate and reliable measurements. If a person is dehydrated, the amount of fat will likely be overestimated other comments: Bioelectric impedance analysis is based on the principle that the resistance to an applied electric current is inversely related to the amount of fat-free mass within the body. This method does not take into account the location of body fat. contraindications: People with pacemakers should not use Bioelectrical Impendence for body composition analysis.
Question: What is body composition?

Answer: Body composition is the bodys relative amount of fat tofat-free mass. Those with optimal body composition are typically healthier, move more easily and efficiently, and in general, feel better than those with less-than-ideal body composition. Achieving a more optimal body composition goes a long way toward improving your quality of life and overall wellness. Body composition is divided into two separate types of mass: fat-free mass -- which is comprised of all of the bodys non-fat tissues -- and body fat. Fat-free mass includes bone, water, muscle, and tissues. Body fat is literally fat located within the body. Some fat is necessary for overall health; it helps protect internal organs, provides energy and regulates hormones that perform various functions in body regulation. However, when someone is overweightor obese, they have an excessive accumulation of body fat.

Body fat includes essential fats, such as lipids, andnonessential body fats; these fats make up around five percent of total body weight for men, and up to 12 percent for women. Nonessential fat is found mainly within fat cells and adipose tissue, below the skin and surrounding major organs. The amount of nonessential fat stored in the body is variable among individuals on factors such as age, gender, and diet. Excess nonessential fat can normally be attributed to consuming more food energy than what is burned through metabolic functions and activity.

Body fat percentage is the percentage of total body weight that is comprised of fat. Decreasing your body fat percentage, if it is too high, isnt just about improving your appearance. A high percentage of body fat can have a negative effect on your overall well-being: Excess fat has been linked to numerous health problems such as increased risk for diseases such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease. Having excess fat, specifically surrounding the internal organs, can damage your health and contribute to serious medical conditions such as liver disease.

Assessing body mass index (BMI) is a commonly-used method of measuring body fat. While BMI does not measure body fat directly, it helps to assess health risks related to body mass. Ways to assess your body composition, and body fat percentage, more directly include measurement with calipers and tests such as underwater body fat test, the BodPod, DEXA Scan, and Bioletrical Impedence.

Weighing yourself on a regular bathroom scale does not truly assess your body composition, because a regular scale cannot tell the difference between how much of your total weight is comprised of water, fat, or muscle.