Practical Assessment of Body Composition

Abstract

In brief: The assessment of body composition has become an important method for determining a desirable body weight of adults and athletes. Hydrostatic weighing is a popular and valid method, but it is often not feasible for the clinical setting or for mass testing; thus, anthropometry has become the preferred method. This article reviews the scientific basis for generalized body composition prediction equations and provides methods for evaluating body composition. The authors recommend using a sum of three skinfolds (triceps, chest, and subscapula for men and triceps, abdomen, and suprailium for women) and give detailed instructions for securing accurate measurements of body fat.