Comparison of Skinfold Thickness Measurement and Bioelectrical Impedance Method for Assessment of Body Fat

The purpose of this study was to compare the body fat percentage using two different methods of fat assessment like skinfold thickness measurement and bioelectrical impedance. A total of thirty healthy male with age ranges 26 to 49 years were selected as a subject. Predicted percentage body fat (%BF) was derived from skinfold equation given by Durnin and Womersley and bioelectrical impedance by Maltron BF 908 body composition analyzer. Correlation coefficients results showed that there was a good relationship between these two different methods for fat assessment (r = .667). The mean body fat percentage determined by bioelectrical impedance was significantly lower than that measured by skinfold thickness measurement. Results revealed significant difference among skinfold thickness measurement and bioelectrical impedance method (t = 13.100; p < .001). Therefore, it may be concluded that as compare to bioelectrical impedance analysis, skinfold thickness measurement overestimated body fat percentages within a normal subjects although there was a good correlation exist between these two methods.