A skinfold caliper is a device that can measure the thickness of subcutaneous fat on your body. You can use these measurements at various locations to calculate your body-fat percentage. Each gender requires a specific set of measurements due to differences in the distribution of body fat. A qualified technician should perform the measurements since the calculations are very sensitive to error. These skinfold measurements need to be accurate to the nearest half millimeter.
Procedure for Men
Step 1
Take your skinfold measurements. Pinch your skin approximately 1/2 inch from the measurement site with your forefinger and thumb, ensuring that you follow the fold of the skin. Pull the skin away from the muscle and apply the calipers. Allow four seconds for the fat to compress before you take the reading from the calipers.
The location for the abdominal measurement is at navel level, slightly to the side of your navel. The location for your pectoral measurement is between your armpit and nipple. Your thigh measurement is on the front of your thigh, midway between your hip and knee.
Step 2
Add your abdominal, pectoral and thigh measurements together. This total is your skinfold sum.
Step 3
Compute your body density from the skinfold sum in step 2 with the following equation: Body Density = (.0000016 x sum x sum) -- (.0008267 x sum) -- (.0002574 x age) + 1.1093800.
Step 4
Convert your body density from step 3 to your body fat percentage with the following equation: Body Fat = 495 / Body Density -- 450.
Procedure for Women
Step 1
Take your skinfold measurements. Pinch your skin approximately 1/2 inch from the measurement site with your forefinger and thumb, ensuring that you follow the fold of the skin. Pull the skin away from the muscle and apply the calipers. Allow four seconds for the fat to compress before you take the reading from the calipers.
The location for your suprailiac measurement is slightly above the hip on the side of your waist. The location for your triceps measurement is on the back of your upper arm. Your thigh measurement is on the front of your thigh, midway between your hip and knee.
Step 2
Add your suprailiac, triceps and thigh measurements together. This total is your skinfold sum.
Step 3
Compute your body density from the skinfold sum in step 2 with the following equation: Body Density = (.0000023 x sum x sum) -- (.0009929 x sum) -- (.0001392 x age) + 1.0994921.
Step 4
Convert your body density from step 3 to your body fat percentage with the following equation: Body Fat = 495 / Body Density -- 450.
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