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Original scientific paper

Caliper vs. Lipometer - comparing two methods of subcutaneous body fat measurement by Bland-Altman diagrams

Erwin Tafeit ; Institute of Physiological Chemistry, Centre for Physiological Medicine, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria
Petra Silke Kaimbacher ; Institute of Physiological Chemistry, Centre for Physiological Medicine, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria
Sandra Johanna Wallner-Liebmann ; Institute of Pathophysiology, Center for Molecular Medicine, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria
Gilbert Reibnegger ; Institute of Physiological Chemistry, Centre for Physiological Medicine, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria
Gerhard Cvirn ; Institute of Physiological Chemistry, Centre for Physiological Medicine, Medical University Graz, Graz Country Austria
Jaak Jürimäe ; Institute of Sports Pedagogy and Coaching Science, Faculty of Exercise and Sport Sciences, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
Meeli Saar ; Institute of Sports Pedagogy and Coaching Science, Faculty of Exercise and Sport Sciences, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
Jarek Maestu ; Institute of Sports Pedagogy and Coaching Science, Faculty of Exercise and Sport Sciences, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
Priit Purge ; Institute of Sports Pedagogy and Coaching Science, Faculty of Exercise and Sport Sciences, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
Evelin Lätt ; Institute of Sports Pedagogy and Coaching Science, Faculty of Exercise and Sport Sciences, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
Toivo Jürimäe ; Institute of Sports Pedagogy and Coaching Science, Faculty of Exercise and Sport Sciences, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia


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Abstract

Skinfold Calipers are widely used to obtain subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness because of its non-invasive, simple and inexpensive technique. Nevertheless, Caliper skinfold thicknesses have the disadvantage of measuring compressed adipose tissue and double layers of skin, which might reduce the precision of these results. In contrast, the computerized optical device Lipometer was developed to permit a quick, precise and non-invasive determination of non-compressed mono layers of subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness. In the present paper we investigate the hypothesis that Caliper skinfold thicknesses are significantly different from subcutaneous adipose tissue thicknesses in mm, which can be measured by Lipometer. Caliper and Lipometer results were obtained from 371 Estonian boys aged between 9.0 and 12.8 years. Measurements were performed at six different body sites: triceps, biceps, upper back, upper abdomen, hip and front thigh. Caliper measurements were systematically higher than Lipometer results in a range between 1.2 mm (hip) and 11.08 mm (front thigh). Comparing Caliper and Lipometer results very low measurement agreement was found. The two methods provided very poor interchangeability.

Keywords

caliper; lipometer; subcutaneous body fat; children; subcutaneous adipose tissue

Hrčak ID:

166264

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/166264

Publication date:

20.11.2015.

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