Tips for Measuring Skinfolds on Children

Tips for Measuring Skinfolds of Children

Prior to body composition testing, inform the parents so they will understand the purpose and procedures of this assessment.
Instruct students regarding concepts and procedures for measuring body composition.
Maintain records of these measures over time to assess the interaction effects of growth, maturation, diet, and physical activity on body composition changes.
Measure only standardized sites and follow established procedures.
If you feel it is necessary, ask a teacher, nurse, or the child's parent to be present during body composition testing.
Ensure confidentiality by sharing test results only with the child and the parents.
Provide personal feedback and "group" interpretations of the results.
Do not use body composition test results for grading purposes.
Be sure to make the body composition assessment a positive experience for each child. Do no label, criticize, or ridicule children during any phase of this assessment.

Applied Body Composition Assessment, Second Edition, Heyward & Wagner, 2004.