[Determination of lean body mass by skin fold measurements (author's transl)]

Abstract

Skin folds were measured on 12 different body sites of 32 boys, aged 9--12, by using the calipers of Best, Lange, Harpenden and Holtain successively. We compared the measurements of the biceps, triceps, scapula, suprailiaca, abdominal and thigh skin folds. The results depended on body sites as well as on the type of caliper used. Therefore, conversion is recommendable only when absolute values of body fat must be taken into consideration, as when investigating population parameters in terms of functional performance capacity. Moreover conversion is necessary when using those nomograms which are built up mainly by measurements with an unusual caliper. Conversions must be omitted when comparing data by means of rank-correlations.