Validation of two methods of skin fold and bioelectrical impedance with
hydrostatic method for determining the body fat percent in active men
Abstract
Purpose: This study was conducted to determine the validity and reliability of skin fold and
bioelectrical impedance methods in detecting body fat percent in comparison to the hydrostatic
method. Methods: For this reason, 40 students of Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz (age,
22.2±2.73 years; height, 176.27±6.08 cm; and weight, 69.92±7.41 kg) were randomly chosen.
Body density (BD) was determined by using hydrostatic, skin fold (seven site equation of Jackson
& Pollock) and bioelectrical impedance (BIA) methods. Thereafter, body fat percent (BF%) was
calculated for all methods using the Siri’s equation. Statistical analyses were performed using
Pearson’s correlation coefficient and paired t-test at P<0.05. Results: Data analysis showed a
significant difference between skin fold method and hydrostatic method (R=0.959, P<0.001). The
validity of BIA machine in comparison with criterion method was confirmed (R=0.946, P<0.05).
Conclusions: Based on the findings of this investigation, it could be concluded that the BIA
method is suitable method for determining body fat percent in active men and it could be a good
replacement for the expensive hydrostatic method.