Do calipers work regardless of body type?

amylahminute

This is a total newbie question that I hope isn't a repeat topic (nothing came up on Search):

Since some people carry their weight in their midsections, while others carry it elsewhere - like in their hips ...can calipers be used to measure the BF% of both body types?

It seems like the BF% will be significantly different between say...

--- a female apple shape with no hip fat, whose waist skinfold measurement is 30mm

and

--- a female pear shape who has the same waist skinfold 30mm measurement, plus a lot of fat in the hips/tush

(I'm presuming here that these two women are measuring in 3 sites total and have equal measurements in the tricep and thigh. That's theoretically possible, right?)


Does anyone know anything about how the caliper could be accurate for both people in this example?

Thanks!

amylahminute

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amylahminute

Just a followup, for anyone who might have the same question in the future...

I am an apple, carrying most of my body fat up top. I got a DEXA scan last Saturday to verify my BF%. Turns out my calipers were reading me out at 7% higher body fat than my actual BF. Also, incidentally, the Military BF Calculation that requires a waist measurement was similarly 7% too high.

I did a BIA measurement at the gym last night just for the heck of it, and it gave me a readout only 1% higher than the DEXA.

If you are an apple shape, just consider the fact that your numbers might be skewed when using some of the estimation tools that are out there. That is all.

LovePBandJ

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BusyRaeNOTBusty

I carry a lot of fat on my rear, inner, outer thighs. The test I had done only pinched the front of my quad as far as lower body. It said 19% which I think is too low.

starin1

Personally I think that calipers are garbage. They depend on where the measurements are taken and the person performing the task. Not a big fan of those as they varied 6% from my hydrostatic body fast test.