Among the anthropometric assessment methods is the measuring of skinfold thickness. Skinfold thickness measurements are performed to determine one’s body composition, more specifically one’s body fat percentage. Body composition assessment involves the description of the percentages of muscle, fat and bone in the body; while body fat percentage only accounts for the fat. The DEXA scan is recognized as an accurate analysis device for body composition assessment.
Various approaches can be utilized to measure your body fat percentage including:
- Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA)
- Hydrostatic Weighing
- Bioimpedance Spectroscopy (BIS)
- Air Displacement Plethysmography (Bod Pod)
- Calipers
Each of these methods has its advantages and disadvantages. For example, with the bioimpendance equipment, you can measure yourself but with other tools such as the calipers, you will require assistance from an assessor. Also, the calipers are presumed more accurate than most other devices.
In this post; however, we will not focus on the other devices that measure your body fat percentage but we will focus on calipers since we are evaluating skin fold thickness measurements. Calipers measure skin fold thickness to determine body fat percentage. They are considered an accurate and inexpensive method useful for determining body fat percentage.
Whereas there is not an ideal body fat percentage due to various factors such as age, genetics and sex, it is still important to determine your body fat percentage to assess the changes in your muscle mass, to maintain body fat percentage within an appropriate level and to minimize the potential for diseases associated with either too low or high body fat . Weighing scales can measure your weight, but they cannot reveal your body fat percentage, but calipers can measure your skin fold thickness , which can be used to determine the percentage of your body fat.
Measuring skin fold thickness using calipers
There are a variety of calipers though they all perform similar functions. They take measurements of skin fold thickness in millimetres, which are then converted to body fat percentage utilizing various charts and formulas. When measuring skin fold thickness, there are key areas where measurements are taken including biceps, triceps, suprailiac( around the waist) and subscapular (at the back of the scapula).
The examiner should ensure accuracy when taking measurements of all four areas , record the readings , and then add them. Then the different charts can be used to interpret the readings.
Body Fat Percentage And Muscle Mass
After identifying body fat percentage, muscle mass changes can be calculated and lean body weight determined as well. Since muscle mass comprises the greater portion of lean mass that changes significantly; the changes in lean mass tend to indicate the changes in muscle weight. Accordingly, when body fat percentages are determined, lean body weight can be identified.The lean body weight is obtained by:
(i.) Weighing the participant using a weighing scale.
(ii.)Identifying the weight of body fat by multiplying the participant’s weight by body fat percentage.
(iii.)Subtracting the body fat weight from total body weight.
Example:
A woman weighs 140 lbs and has 25% body fat. When you multiply her weight by body fat percentage, you obtain her body fat weight:
140 ×25%=35 lbs
When you subtract the body fat weight from her body weight; you obtain her lean weight i.e.
140lbs-35 lbs=105 lbs
If there are changes in weight and body fat percentage over time, this formula is applied to identify muscle loss or gain.
Skin fold thickness measurements are elements of anthropometric methods. They aid in determining body fat percentages, which are useful indicators of disease risk and are important in determining muscle loss or gain. With body fat percentages, lean body weight can be determined.