Moscow University
Anthropology
Bulletin
Anthropology
Bulletin
1) Institute of Numerical Mathematics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow; 2) Federal Research Institute for Health Organization and Informatics of Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow; 3) Lomonosov Moscow State University, Institute and Museum of Anthropology, Moscow; 4) Krasnoyarsk State Medical University named after V.F. Voino-Yasenetsky, Krasnoyarsk; 5) National Medical Research Center of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Immunology named after D. Rogachev, Moscow
Skinfold measurements are routinely used in biological and medical anthropology to assess subcutaneous adiposity, body physique and composition, as well as nutritional state. The results of measurements depend not only on the measurement technique, but also on the type of skinfold caliper. The diversity of skinfold caliper types and intergroup differences in the results of measurements make it difficult to generalize and compare data of various population studies. Our aim was to test the validity and reliability of skinfold measurements among various types of skinfold calipers. A comparative experimental study was carried out with the participation of five measurers using 11 skinfold calipers of the following five types: FatTrack II (Accu-Measure, USA), GPM (DKSH, Switzerland), KETS-100 (JSC TVES, Tulinovsky Instrument Making Plant, Tambov region, Russia), Lange (Beta Technology; Cambridge Scientific Industries, USA), and Veresk (LLC Veresk, Krasnoyarsk, Russia). The study was conducted in three stages: by using metal caliper checking gauge (GPM model 219) and sandwiches of soft silicone rubber kSil™GP250 (Silicone Engineering, UK) as well as by measurement of four skinfolds (triceps, subscapular, suprailiac, and calf) used in the Heath-Carter anthropometric somatotype method, in 11 adult volunteers. When measuring the calibration block and sandwiches of silicone rubber with metal skinfold calipers (GPM, Lange or Veresk), the standard deviations of means and coefficients of variation were, on average, 3 times lower as compared to plastic ones ( FatTrack II, KETS-100). As compared to GPM, the calipers KETS-100, Lange, and Veresk significantly overestimated the thickness of sandwiches and the sum of the above mentioned four skinfolds, while the differences of GPM and FatTrack II were statistically insignificant. In total, our study showed an advantage of using conventionally recommended equipment. Among the five types of skinfold calipers, GPM showed the best performance (overall subjective score 8.9 out of 10 points). The Lange skinfold caliper, despite the relatively high reproducibility of the measurement results, tended to overestimate skinfold thickness (overall score 7.0 points). The skinfold caliper FatTrack II was comparable in accuracy with GPM but provided less reproducible results (overall score 6.2 points). With a relatively high reliability, the skinfold caliper Veresk showed poor quality of static and dynamic calibration (overall score 5.8 points). The worst performance (maximal total technical error of measurements, minimal coefficient of reliability, poor calibration) was shown by the caliper KETS-100 (overall score 2.1 points) which rises serious doubts on the appropriateness of its use for the purpose of preventive screening in Russian Health Centers and, on the whole, for research and practical purposes. To enable comparability of skinfold data, the results of measurements should be accompanied with the following information: – which type of a skinfold caliper was used and how it met the conventional requirements of the measurement standardization (metal or plastic, contact surface area, jaw pressure, dial graduation, etc.); – data on the comparison of the skinfold caliper with the reference ones; – data on static and dynamic calibration; – data on the measurer(s) training, technical errors of measurements and coefficients of reliability.
anthropometry, skinfolds, skinfold calipers, comparison, validity, reliability, technical error of measurements, coefficient of reliability
Цит.: Rudnev S.G., Anisimova A.V., Sindeeva L.V., Zadorozhnaya L.V., Lukina S.S., Malakhina A.V., Vashura A.Yu., Tseytlin G.Ya., Godina E.Z. Methodological issues of studying variations in subcutaneous fat: a comparison of different types of skinfold calipers // Moscow University Anthropology Bulletin (Vestnik Moskovskogo Universiteta. Seria XXIII. Antropologia), 2017; 3/2017; с. 4-26
Download text