Validation of two methods of skin fold and bioelectrical impedance with hydrostatic method for determining the body fat percent in active men

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.