Skinfold measurements in children. A comparison of Lange and McGaw calipers

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Endocrinology
• Human Physiology
• Anthropometry

Background:

• Accurate anthropometric measurements are crucial for assessing pediatric growth and nutritional status.
• Previous studies compared skinfold calipers in adults, but pediatric data is limited, especially for smaller skinfolds common in children.
• Understanding inter-caliper and inter-observer variability in pediatric skinfold assessment is essential for reliable body composition analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare skinfold measurements obtained using McGaw and Lange calipers in a pediatric population.
• To evaluate inter-observer reliability for both caliper types in pediatric patients.
• To determine if McGaw and Ross plastic calipers are a suitable alternative to Lange calipers for pediatric use.

Main Methods:

• Biceps and triceps skinfold thickness were measured in 240 pediatric patients (age 2 weeks to 18 years).
• Measurements were taken using both McGaw and Lange calipers on the same individuals.
• Two independent investigators performed measurements to assess inter-observer differences.

Main Results:

• McGaw caliper measurements were, on average, 12.6% lower than those from Lange calipers.
• Inter-observer differences were 20.4% for Lange calipers and 17.6% for McGaw calipers (root mean square differences).
• Both caliper types demonstrated variability, but McGaw calipers showed slightly better inter-observer consistency.

Conclusions:

• McGaw and Ross plastic calipers are an adequate substitute for Lange calipers in pediatric settings, particularly when cost is a factor.
• The findings support the use of McGaw calipers for reliable pediatric anthropometry, despite lower absolute values compared to Lange calipers.
• Further research may explore the clinical implications of these measurement differences in pediatric health assessments.