Body Composition

Luke Shively
04/24/2019
Lab Section 1
Background/Purpose

Body composition measures the percentage of fat, muscle, water, and bone in the human

body. Measuring body composition is one tool that can be used to help determine the health of

an individual. The risk of developing certain diseases can be correlated to high body fat. These

diseases include cardiovascular disease, strokes, adult-onset diabetes, arthritis, and colon cancer.

There are four main ways that body composition can be measured. It can be measured by

using skin calipers, bioelectrical impedance, hydrostatic weighing, and air-displacement

plethysmography. Using skin calipers, skin folds are measured to help determine the amount of

subcutaneous fat. The 4-Site Formula measures the abdominal, suprailiac, thigh, and tricep areas

on the body. This technique has different calculations for males and females. Bioelectrical

impedance measures body composition by sending electrical currents through various tissues.

Currents are able to travel faster in tissues that contain higher amounts of water. The higher the

fat percentage in an individual the more the signal slows and stops since fat contains around ten

to twenty percent water. However, lean muscle mass contains seventy to seventy-five percent

water. This allows for the current to pass through much easier.

The “gold standard” to measure body composition has been hydrostatic weighing or

underwater weighing. This technique is done using water and measures the mass per unit of

volume of an individual. It is measured by how the mass of the body displaces the water. The

last way to measure body composition is using air displacement plethysmography. It uses a

machine called a BOD POD. It measures whole-body densitometry to figure out body

composition using mass and volume while an individual is sitting in the BOD POD.
Hypothesis

The theory in body composition is to determine how in shape an individual is and to help

determine their risk of developing chronic illnesses. The hypothesis is that an individual with a

lower percentage of body fat will be healthier and more in shape than an individual with a higher

percentage of body fat.

Materials used in this laboratory experiment

• Skin caliper
• Upper Body Bioelectrical Impedance
• Tape Measure
• Lower Body Bioelectrical Impedance
• BMI Charts
• Scale

Procedure

Waist-to-Hip Ratio

1. Using tape measure, measure the circumference of the abdomen at the umbilicus.

2. Measure the hips at the area with the greatest circumference.

3. Divide the umbilicus measurement by the hip circumference to determine the ratio.

4. Compare ratio to norm charts.

Body Mass Index (BMI)

1. Weigh individual on scale without shoes.

2. Convert pounds to kilograms.

3. Measure height of individual.

4. Convert height to meters.

5. Calculate BMI using equation BMI = weight in kg / (height in meters)2

6. Compare BMI to norm using charts.

Upper Body Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA)

1. Type weight, height, gender, and age into the bioelectrical impedance machine.

2. Hit start and hold machine out while gripping handles.

3. Machine will calculate results.

4. Record these results.

Lower Body Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA)

1. Turn on bioelectrical impedance machine.

2. Type gender, height, and age machine.

3. Stand on scale.

4. Machine calculates results.

5. Record these results.

Skin Fold Sites for 4-Site Calculation (all performed on the right side of the body)

1. Measure each site three times to obtain average.

2. Abdomen - measure skin fold vertically 2 cm laterally from umbilicus

3. Suprailiac – measure a diagonal fold above iliac crest in the midaxillary line

4. Thigh – From the midpoint between the inguinal crease and the proximal border of

the patella, measure a vertical fold. Have individual stand with the right leg on a

chair for easier site identification.

5. Tricep – From the midpoint of the acromion and the olecranon processes, measure a

vertical fold. Have individual raise arm in “karate-chop” position allows for easier

identification of the olecranon process.

Data Tables
Waist-to-Hip Ratio
Waist circumference 28 inches
Hip circumference 29.5 inches
Waist-to-Hip Ratio 0.95
Category Very high

Body Mass Index (BMI)

Weight 172 pounds (78 kg)
Height 73 inches (1.85 meters)
BMI 22.79
Category Normal

Upper Body Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA)

Weight 172 pounds
Height 73 inches
Gender Male
Age 23
Percentage 5.4

Lower Body Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA)

Weight 172 pounds
Height 73 inches
Gender Male
Age 23
Percentage 12

4-Site Skin Fold Calculation

(all performed on the right side of the body)
Measurements 1 2 3 Average
Abdominal 3 mm 3 mm 3 mm 3 mm
Suprailiac 5 mm 6 mm 4 mm 5 mm
Thigh 6 mm 5 mm 4 mm 5 mm
Tricep 4 mm 2 mm 3 mm 3 mm
Average Total 16 mm

4-Site Formula – % Fat = (.29288)(S4) – (.00105)(S4)2 + (.15845)(23) – 5.76377

(S4 = average total)

2.44% = (.29288)(16) – (.00105)(16)2 + (.15845)(23) – 5.76377

Graphs

Upper Body Vs Lower Body

14.00%

12.00%
12%

10.00%
Percentage of Body Fat

8.00%

6.00%

5.40%
4.00%

2.00%

0.00%
Upper Body Bioelectrical Lower Body Bioelectrical
Body Bioelectrical Impedance

Average Measurements
6

5
5 5

3
3 3

0
Abdominal Suprailiac Thigh Tricep
Skin Fold Body Measurements
Questions

1. When skin-fold measurements are measured by the same person over time, it will be

performed in the same location using the same technique making the results more

accurate.

2. A person’s body fat percentage changes hourly depending on the individual’s level of

hydration. When re-testing a subject, it is important to make sure the individual’s

hydration status is similar and the re-test is performed around the same time as the

original test.

Discussion

Different types of tests to measure body composition were performed. For the waist-to-

hip ratio, the waist and hip circumferences were measured. These measurements were then

divided to determine the ratio and was compared to the norm charts. For BMI, height and weight

were obtained and converted to the metric system. The BMI was calculated and compared to the

norm. Upper body BIA was obtained by entering weight, height, gender and age into the

machine. The machine then calculated the results as the individual held the machine out while

gripping the handles. Lower body BIA was calculated after gender, height and age were entered

in the machine. The individual then stood on the scale which is part of the machine and

calculated the results. The skin fold sites for 4-site calculation were each measured three times

on the right side of the body to obtain an average. The sites included the abdominal, suprailiac,

thigh and tricep areas.

The waist-to-hip ratio for this individual was 0.95 and placed them in the very high

category. The waist measured 28 inches, while the hips measured 29.5 inches. The waist

measurement was divided by the hip measure to obtain the ratio. This individual’s BMI was
22.79 which is in the normal range. The person weighed 172 pounds which was converted to 78

kg and was 73 inches tall which was converted to 1.85 meters. The weight in kilograms was

divided by the height in meters squared to obtain the BMI. This person’s upper and lower body

BIA was 5.4% and 12% respectively. This male is 23 years old, weighs 172 pounds and is 73

inches tall. The machine calculated the percentage from this information. The percent of body

fat from the 4-site skin fold calculation was 2.44%. Each site was measured three times to obtain

an average. The abdomen was measured for 3 mm, 3mm, and 3mm and averaged 3 mm. The

suprailiac measured 5 mm, 6 mm, and 4 mm with an average of 5 mm. The thigh measured 6

mm, 5 mm, and 4 mm with an average of 5 mm. The tricep measured 4 mm, 2 mm, and 3 mm

with an average of 3 mm. The averages were added together for a sum of 16 mm. The result

was obtained using the 4-site formula for males.

Possible sources of error for the waist-to-hip ratio could be from not measuring the hips

at their widest point. This individual’s waist-to-hip ratio fell in the very high category. The

measurement was not obtained properly as the hips were measured too high. Sources of error

that could occur while obtaining the BMI might include weighing the person with their shoes on,

a malfunctioning scale, an incorrect height, and errors in converting the data to the metric

system. Upper and lower body BIA errors could occur from entering weight, height, gender and

age incorrectly into the machine. For the skin folds, the calipers may not be placed in the correct

area. Measuring each area three times does help reduce this error as long as the skin folds are

measured in the correct area. It is also important to make sure the correct formula is used as

there are multiple formulas which are gender specific. To prevent these errors in future labs, it is

important to make sure the measurements are done precisely and the information is entered

correctly.