The skinfold measurement technique uses skinfold calipers to estimate body composition, according to the American Council on Exercise. The technique is used by personal trainers and health care professionals to determine a person's percentage of body fat. Body calipers are used to measure subcutaneous tissue on the theory that about 50 percent of body fat lies under the skin. Professionals take the measurements at standardized sites to ensure consistency in measuring.
Step 1
Gather the tools needed to check body fat levels. You will need calipers designed to measure skin folds and a black marker for marking measurement sites.
Step 2
Select the skin fold sites for the caliper measurements based on the person's sex. For men, the sites are the chest, abdomen and thigh. For women, the sites are the triceps, thigh and suprailium, which is near the side of the waist. All measurements are taken on the right side of the body.
Step 3
Grasp the skin fold at the first site with your thumb and index finger while holding the calipers perpendicular to skin fold site.
Step 4
Place the caliper pads on the skin fold about one-quarter inch from your thumb and forefinger.
Step 5
Wait for one or two seconds after the caliper trigger releases before reading the dial.
Step 6
Read the caliper dial to the nearest 0.5 mm and record the measurement.
Step 7
Repeat the measurement at the other two sites and record the measurements.
Step 8
Wait 15 seconds after the measurements to allow fat to return to normal density
Step 9
Take a second measurement at each site using the proper technique and record the measurements.
Step 10
Continue taking measurements at the skin fold sites until the difference in two measurements for a site is less than 1 mm.
Step 11
Calculate body fat percentage by using the caliper skin fold measurements with body composition equations, such as the Jackson and Pollock equation. The American Council on Exercise provides a body fat calculator on its website into which you enter your age, sex and skin fold measurements to generate your personal measurement.
Step 12
Evaluate body fat percentage using the American Council on Exercise chart listing percentages of body fat norms for men and women. The chart defines obesity as more than 32 percent for women and more than 25 percent for men. Acceptable is 25 to 31 percent or women and 18 to 24 percent for men. Fitness is 21 to 24 percent for women and 14 to 17 percent for men.
Tips and Warnings
- Don't take skin fold measurements after the person has exercised, since the transfer of fluid to the skin can cause measurement errors.
Things You'll Need
- Body caliper
- Black marker
- Pencil
- Paper
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