Dear Binu

Essentially, they are quick, easy to use, easy to train people in their use.  But you need a bit of practice approximately 50 uses to develop competence, they are relatively cheap.

The more skin folds that are taken, the more accurate the measurement/prediction of body fat %. Tests generally range from 3 site methods to 7 site methods. I would strongly recommend having a look at Applied Body Composition Assessment by Vivan Heyward  (Human Kinetics), where all of your queries are explained in detail.

Skin fold measurements are especially useful when determining body composition in subjects that standard body mass index (BMI) is not reliable. For example, the BMI of an athlete would show a false determination of obesity. However, if one were to measure with calipers, you would find a much more accurate assessment of body composition/ lean body mass (LBM) or fat free mass (FFM), in relation to fat/adipose tissue. As previously mentioned, when using skin fold measurements, it is important to use as many skin fold sites as possible and to be familiar with the technique! Additional ways of accurately assessing anthropometric measurements include the use of a bioelectric scale. (Which is both faster and simpler for a comparable cost!)

Jacqueline Hamilton, MS RD LD

You can also go for waist to hip ratio , it gives a good result for adolescent and more than 18 years age group.

Waist to hip ratio is used as an indicator of excessive abdominal/central adipose tissue....or a higher risk for obesity related morbidities. It is a useful tool for assessment but does not determine specific body composition figures.

Sir with reference to your question i would like to answer that - we must see for every parameters regarding bodily parameters. As distribution of fat is not same throughout and all over the body. the prominent site for deposition of fatty tissue contents is abdomen leading to central obesity. Only BMI of any person is not reliable source and i would like to suggest that one must go through -

• Total Body Fat
• Lean Body Mass
• Wasit to Hip ratio
• Anthropometric measurements (Mid arm, Chest, Neck, Waist, Hip, Mid Shin, etc)

and last but not least is after all this Basal Metabolic Rate will show us the actual utilization of deposited six proximal constituents throughout the body.