Fat thickness, especially subcutaneous fat, is typically measured using skinfold calipers.
Understanding Skinfold Calipers
Skinfold calipers are a common tool used to estimate body fat percentage by measuring the thickness of subcutaneous fat at specific body sites. These measurements, known as skinfold measurements, provide a useful estimate of total body fat.
How Skinfold Calipers Work
- Principle: Skinfold calipers work by pinching and measuring the thickness of a fold of skin and the underlying fat tissue at various locations on the body.
- Specific Locations: The process involves measuring at standardized sites, such as the triceps, biceps, subscapular (below the shoulder blade), and suprailiac (above the hip).
- Estimation: The measurements are then used in a calculation or compared to standardized charts to estimate total body fat percentage.
- Subcutaneous Fat: Importantly, skinfold calipers measure only the fat that is directly beneath the skin (subcutaneous fat), not visceral fat located deeper within the body.
Process of Measuring Fat Thickness with Skinfold Calipers
- Identify Measurement Sites: Locate the correct sites on the body according to standardized measurement protocols.
- Pinch the Skin: Using your thumb and index finger, pinch a fold of skin and fat at the site, pulling it gently away from the underlying muscle.
- Place Calipers: Position the jaws of the skinfold calipers on the skinfold where the fingers are pinching.
- Read Measurement: The calipers will provide a reading in millimeters (mm), which indicates the thickness of the skinfold.
- Repeat Measurements: Often, measurements are taken multiple times at each site to ensure accuracy, and then the average reading is calculated.
Advantages of Using Skinfold Calipers
- Accessible: Skinfold calipers are relatively inexpensive and readily available.
- Portable: They are easy to transport, making them convenient for use in various settings.
- Non-Invasive: The measurement process is non-invasive and straightforward.
- Estimate Body Fat: They provide a reasonable estimate of overall body fat.
Limitations
- Operator Skill: Accuracy depends on the skill of the person taking the measurements.
- Subcutaneous Fat Only: They measure only subcutaneous fat, not visceral fat.
- Estimation: The results are estimates, not direct measurements of body fat.
In summary, while various methods exist to measure fat thickness, skinfold calipers offer a cost-effective and widely used technique to measure subcutaneous fat and provide an estimation of overall body fat, as stated in the reference.
