Body Mass index and triceps skinfold use as body fatness indicators

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to measure the agreement level between Body Mass Index (BMI) and triceps skinfold in the correct identification of nutritional status in children. The sample involved 137 children of both sexes (12.4±1.8) and it were measured the body weight, height, eight skinfolds, waist and hip circumferences and body fat. The level of significance was set at P < 0.05. There was correlation between all body fat indicators and both BMI and triceps skinfold, except the waist-rip ratio for the female children. In the male children, the Kappa index ranged from 0.45 to 0.71, and of 0.10 to 0.63 for female. In summary, the BMI and triceps skinfold presented similar results in the identification of nutritional status. However, the BMI is a simpler tool for identification of nutritional status than the triceps skinfold.