Triceps skinfold thickness

Koiland-Cachera, M., Brambilla, P Manzoni, R, Akroui, M., Stroni, S., Maschio, A and Chiumello, C. (1997). Body composition assessed On the basis of arm circumference and triceps skinfold thickness. Am.). C/rw. Nutr. 65, 1709 1713. 

TIBC total iron-binding capacity TLC total lymphocyte connt TSF triceps skinfold thickness TUN total urine nitrogen UBW usual body weight UL tolerable upper intake level UUN urine urea nitrogen VCO2 carbon dioxide production V02 oxygen consumption... 

It is estimated that 30% of aU cirrhotic patients have protein-energy malnutrition, 40% have protein malnutrition, and 10% have energy mabiutrition. Additionally, among alcoholic cirrhotic patients, 73% of patients have midarm muscle circumferences below the fifth percentile, and 51% have tricep skinfold thickness below the 25th... 

Height was measured using a portable Harpenden anthropometer. Mid-triceps skinfold thickness was measured on right and left arms with Harpenden skinfold calipers. The mean of these was used in the analyses. 

This process includes dietary, anthropometric, and biochemical aspects. Nutritional assessment begins with a detailed nutritional history that includes clinical, dietary, socioeconomic, and family issues. Areas of interest include present and past illnesses, family illness history, food allergies or intolerance, medications, nutritional supplements, over-the-counter medications, alcohol use, work environment, and education level. A useful standardized protocol is the Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI), which incorporates serum albumin, serum transferrin, delayed skin hypersensitivity, and triceps skinfold thickness (20,21). The PNI has been shown to correlate with postoperative complications and mortality (22). Whole body functional assessment by examining overall activity, exercise tolerance, grip strength, respiratory function, wound healing, and plasma albumin concentration can also be useful. 

To obtain reliable measures of skinfold thickness, procedures are carefully defined. For example, in the triceps measurement, a fold of skin in the posterior aspect of the nondominant arm midway between shoulder and elbow is grasped gently and pulled away from the underlying muscle. The skinfold thickness reading is taken at a precise time, 2 to 3 seconds after applying the caliper, because the caliper compresses the skin. Even when these procedures are performed by trained dieticians, reliable measurements are difficult to obtain. 

Skin fold Thicknesses. About one-half of the body fat content is distributed under the skin. Therefore, the thicknesses of various skinfolds are measures of body fatness. For example, it is generally considered that a triceps skinfold (which Is usually measured at a point about halfway between the shoulder and the elbow) smaller than 1/2 in. (12.5 mm) for men or less than 5/8 In. (76 mm) for women is indicative of insufficient subcutaneous fat or underweight condition. 

Midarm Muscle Circumference. Jh s calculated value gives an approximate estimate of the muscle mass, which is useful in determining whether an underweight person is lacking fat alone (measured by skinfold thickness) or is short on both fat and muscle. The value for the midarm muscle circumference (MAMC) is derived from measurements of the triceps skinfold (TSF) and the midarm circumference (MAC) by the following formula ... 

For example, a man who has a midarm circumference (measured by placing a tape measure around the upper arm where the triceps skinfold is measured) of 11 in. (279 mm), and a skinfold thickness of 1/2 in. (72.5 mm) would have a midarm muscle circumference of 9 9/1 5 in. (240 mm). These measurements would indicate that while he has just enough subcutaneous fat, he is lacking some muscle since the standard values for muscle circumferences are 10 in. (254 mm) for males and 9 in. (232 mm/for females. 

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