Comparison of five methods for estimating percent body fat in men

Five methods of measuring percent body fat were assessed in 70 healthy military men (mean age 31.6 years). Included were underwater weighing (UWW); skinfolds (SF), sum of triceps (TSF), subscapula (SSSF) and chest (using the Jackson and Pollock equations); TSF, SSSF and TSF/SSSF (using the Durnin and Wemersley equations); circumferences (CC), neck and abdomen (Department of Navy Method), body mass index (BMI), kg/m and bioelectrical impedance (BI). Additionally, frame size was assessed by elbow breadth (EB), height/wrist circumference ratio (H/W) measurements and by self-estimation. Correlations between UWW and each of the methods were: SF, r=0.87; TSF, r=0.83; SSSF, r=0.79; TSF/SSSF, r=0.85; CC, r=0.85; BMI, r=0.74 and BI, r=0.73. Agreement between EB and H/W in determining frame size was 47%. Incidence of agreement for ER and H/W with self-estimation was 44% and 46%, respectively. It was concluded from the findings that the best predictor of percent body fat was SF, r=0.87. However, the CC method appears mere practical and easier for the unskilled practitioner, r=0.85.