Skinfold Determination for Body Composition

A skin fold caliper is a handheld device used to measure body composition by assessing the thickness of skin fold folds at various sites on the body. Typically used in conjunction with a formula to estimate body fat percentage, it works by gently pinching the skin and underlying fat tissue at specific anatomical sites, such as the triceps, abdomen, and thigh. The caliper's jaws measure the thickness of the skin fold, which is then recorded and used in equations to estimate body fat percentage. This is the most cost-effective and portable method of assessing body composition with reasonable accuracy.