The considerable amount of original and generic types of skinfold calipers available is a source of systematic measurement error. This study is a brief report that critically examines the original and illustrated structural configuration of the three main types of skinfold calipers. For more than half a century, the Harpenden®, Lange® and Slim Guide® skinfolds calipers have been widely used in clinical and research settings. It is well established that the physical, mechanical and functional specificity of each type of skinfold caliper makes its interchangeable use impossible. Our report suggests that commercially available technical specifications are insufficient to judiciously choose a skinfold caliper. The area of the jaws, the coefficient of spring and the static and dynamic downward pressure of each type of skinfold caliper must be determined in the metrological laboratory and added to the technical user manual. Choosing a type of skinfold caliper for regular use, without conflict of commercial interest, requires a critical understanding of the physical, mechanical and functional characteristics that configure it. Therefore, a new downward static calibration test and the first eligibility flowchart for a skinfold caliper have been proposed. Finally, the information gathered in this report may be useful for manufacturers of anthropometric instruments and health professionals who use the skinfold technique as a tool for diagnosis and nutritional control.

Background: The present study investigated the influence of body dissatisfaction (BD) on the self-esteem of Brazilian adolescents. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out with 1011 students at public and private schools in the city of Fortaleza, Brazil. The body shape questionnaire and the Rosenberg self-esteem scale were applied. Chi-square test, Student’s t-test, Pearson’s correlation, the odds ratio and binary logistic regression were used. Results: The rate of low self-esteem was 33.8% in the adolescents; 27.8% of the adolescents presented some degree of BD, with severe BD in 5.8%. A significant low negative correlation was found between self-esteem and BD in all the adolescents. In the Odds Ratio analysis, it was observed that the odds of having low self-esteem increased in adolescents with BD as compared to adolescents without BD, being 3.85 times higher in females (CI 95%, 2.12–6.99), 2.83 times higher in males (CI 95%, 1.22–6.58), 5.79 times higher in adolescents attending public schools (CI 95% 2.06–16.26), and 2.96 times higher in adolescents attending private schools (CI 95%, 1.79–4.88). Conclusions: Low self-esteem affected one-third of the adolescents, both male and female. BD and education in public schools are predictor variables of low self-esteem in adolescents.

Skinfold callipers are used internationally in research, clinical and field settings to assess body composition and nutritional status. Notably, currently available instruments differ in important specificities that impact measurement. In this sense, this report proposes a methodological approach that organises skinfold callipers into three categories ( Original , Generic and Hybrid ) and three configurations ( Type A , Type B and Type C ) based on physical-mechanical properties and characteristics. Therefore, this concept provides technical support for choosing the most appropriate skinfold calliper in different contexts.

In 2021, we reached the centenary of the creation of the first body composition assessment model based on the use of skinfolds. A hundred years after Matiegka's application in 1921 to the analysis of “human efficiency”, this point of view study seeks to bring reflections on the continuous applicability of the method, historical points, relevant advances, and possible projections for the future. Indeed, the comparability of skinfolds with multicompartmental reference methods shows several advantages and disadvantages; if on the one hand we have low cost, speed, and reproducibility, on the other hand we have problems associated with the quality of the equipment, the evaluator's skill and mainly the adequate choice of the predictive model. Thus, when it comes to the assessment of body composition, skinfolds are still a good option for application in different contexts by health professionals as long as the evaluator pays attention to the critical aspects that may represent sources of errors (for example, the level of training/experience, correct skinfold location). Even with the numerous advances in the area, there is solidity and continuity for the application of skinfolds for the future.

Objective: To analyze the sociodemographic and lifestyle factors associated with excessive weight (EW), abdominal obesity (AO) and the simultaneous presence of EW and AO in adolescents from Southern Brazil. Methods: Cross-sectional study with 583 adolescents (11 to 17 years old) of Criciúma, Santa Catarina, Brazil. EW was assessed by body mass index (BMI) and AO by waist circumference (WC). The independent variables analyzed were gender, age, maternal schooling, balanced diet, physical activity, cigarette use, excessive alcohol use and screen time. Binary logistic regression was used to estimate Odds Ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). Results: Boys had 58% higher likelihood of having EW (OR 1.58; 95%CI 1.08-2.29; p<0.05). Younger age group (11 to 14 years) was directly associated with higher likelihood of EW (OR 6.07; 95%CI 4.05-9.11; p<0.05). Adolescents whose mothers had higher education had 75% more likelihood of having AO (OR 1.75; 95%CI 1.01-3.00; p<0.05). Higher likelihood for EW and AO (OR 1.84; 95%CI 1.01-3.34; p<0.05) was identified in younger adolescents (11 to 14 years). Conclusions: Boys and younger age (11 to 14 years) were associated with a higher likelihood of EW. Adolescents whose mothers studied nine years or more were more likely to have AO. The younger age group (11 to 14 years) was associated with greater chances for the simultaneous presence of EW and AO.

Surface anthropometry is a satisfactorily valid doubly-indirect method to describe and quantify human body composition in different field settings¹ 1 Kasper AM, Langan-Evans C, Hudson JF, Brownlee TE, Harper LD, Naughton RJ, et al. Come back skinfolds, all is forgiven: a narrative review of the efficacy of common body composition methods in applied sports practice. Nutrients. 2021;13(4):1075. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/nu13041075. PMid:33806245. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/nu13041075... . Skinfold thickness is the main measurable property to estimate the tissue and/or molecular component of body adiposity. However, some biological limitations are attributed to skinfolds. Skin thickness and dynamic and static compressibility of subcutaneous adipose tissue differ considerably between sites and subjects³ 3 Martin AD, Drinkwater DT, Clarys JP, Daniel M, Ross WD. Effects of skin thickness and skinfold compressibility on skinfold thickness measurement. Am J Hum Biol. 1992;4(4):453-60. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ajhb.1310040404. PMid:28524392. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ajhb.131004040... . Thus, the reproducibility and reliability of skinfold thickness is dependent on the anthropometrist's accuracy and adherence to the measurement technique¹ 1 Kasper AM, Langan-Evans C, Hudson JF, Brownlee TE, Harper LD, Naughton RJ, et al. Come back skinfolds, all is forgiven: a narrative review of the efficacy of common body composition methods in applied sports practice. Nutrients. 2021;13(4):1075. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/nu13041075. PMid:33806245. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/nu13041075... .