Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 10, 2026
Clinical Anthropometrics and Body Composition from 3-Dimensional Optical Imaging
Published on: June 7, 2024
A comparison of military circumference equations to skinfold-based equations to estimate body composition
Carmen J Babcock1, Timothy E Kirby, Michele L McCarroll
1Sport and Exercise Science, Ohio State University, 344 Larkins Hall, 337 West 17th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
Unlabelled:
Circumference-based military equations (CBEs) were compared with a skinfold-based equation (SBE) to estimate body fat.
Objective:
We determined the correlation between CBEs and SBE, evaluated the efficacy of CBE methods, and examined the difference in methods to identify noncompliant personnel. Circumference and skinfold measurements were taken in sequential order for 1,191 male civil service employees (37.9 +/- 7.9 years).
Results:
Percent body fat was estimated for SBE (18.4 +/- 6.1) and three different CBEs: Marine Corps (19.6 +/- 5.8), Navy/Air Force (20.4 +/- 5.8), and Army (20.6 +/- 5.2). A moderate correlation coefficient existed between SBE and CBEs (r = 0.76-0.79). A greater body fat percentage was estimated in noncompliant personnel with circumference methods.
Conclusions:
Data moderately correlate CBEs and SBE. However, CBEs predict higher estimates, resulting in a greater number of personnel classified as noncompliant.
