Revalidation of different circumference and skin fold methods of fat measurement in Indian condition

Abstract

The aim of this study was to revalidate the skin folds methods and circumference methods for estimating the fat in Indian conditions. Fifty women of 18–26 years of age randomly selected from hostels of Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya, Indore. The circumference and the thickness of fold of skin was measured with the help of a plastic with fiber glass freeman’s standard measuring tape and the ABS Plastic made skin fold caliper for the required sites. For establishing the validity of various circumference and skin fold methods for measuring the fat percentage Tanita body fat analyzer was used as criterion measure. For comparing the fat measurement calculated through various techniques of circumference and skin fold methods and the criterion bioelectrical impedance, one way analysis of variance statistics was applied. To establish the reliability, objectivity and validity of the instrument for estimating the fat percentage the level of significance was set at 0.05, which was considered adequate for the purpose of the study. All measurement technique viz. circumference / skin fold are having a positive significant correlation with criterion i.e. Bioelectrical Impedance analysis using Tanita body fat analyzer. Whereas, only US NAVY method 2 is very similar to criterion i.e. bioelectrical impedance analysis technique and the best circumference method for measuring body fat. The two formulas for us navy method abdominal circumference instead of waist circumference is more suitable for measuring body fat for young Indian women.