caliper fat measurement

Does anyone know if this is a valid way to measure BF since we have so much skin hanging around? I need to just go find a podbod, but I'd rather spend the money on a personal trainer. I guess it could at least show a trend

Any thoughts welcome, Kathy

It's inaccurate for everyone, but really, really inaccurate for us. Bodpod is ok, but still off for us. The most accurate method is a DEXA scan. It will give you detailed breakdowns of body fat, muscle, bone, etc.

Underwater body fat testing is highly accurate. I live in a major metro area and couldn't find one place that would do a DEXA scan for body fat (only for bone density) but my local university's exercise physiology department routinely conducts underwater body fat testing. I've had it done 3 times and will be going back at the end of this year for another.

Skin fold testing will not be accurate. The one place that will be the most accurate though if testing skin folds is the skin on the scapula (back)

Under water weighing is the gold standard for assessing body fat - very accurate!

There is a University here, they do the bod pod. SO when you get your bone density measured will they tell you youre numbers (fat, muscle)? I'm coming up on needing to get my bone density tested. That would be convenient. Its super depressing to have them use those dame calipers

Bod pod won't give you those details, the Dexa scan, which does bone density, will.

I have recently had a Dexa scan done at a radiology center, and while I hear others had better information given to them for results.... mine only measured bones. It did not give me a body fat percentage or anything of that nature. I did find a bodpod that provided more detail than my dexa scan. My bodpod results gave me my weight in fat, lean weight (which was muscle, bones, water, and organs), as well as my total weight. I'm sure there is room for some error, but I find this information more accurate than a scale measuring body fat or the old fashion calipers. My bodpod scan was about 40.00 at a health clinic not too far from my house.

The basic Dexascan only does bone density. One xray of your hip, one of your forearm, and that's it. You'd have to find a place willing to do the full scan that will give you body fat, muscle mass, and all the rest of the information.