Overweight Children and Adolescents: Recommendations to Screen, Assess and Manage

Smoothed 95^th Percentiles of Triceps Skinfold
Thickness for NHANES 1 Subjects

To determine triceps skinfold measurements: measure the midpoint between the acromion and olecranon process on the posterior surface of the right arm and mark it. With the patient’s arm relaxed, grasp the skinfold about 1 cm above the midpoint, taking care to exclude muscle from the grasp. Measure skinfold thickness with calipers, such as Lange or Holtain calipers, that provide standardized pressure. Repeat two to three times and use the average.

Males Years	95^th percentile mm	Females Years	95^th percentile Mm
6-6.9	14	6-6.9	16
7-7.9	16	7-7.9	18
8-8.9	17	8-8.9	20
9-9.9	19	9-9.9	22
10-10.9	21	10-10.9	24
11-11.9	22	11-11.9	26
12-12.9	23	12-12.9	28
13-13.9	24	13-13.9	30
14-14.9	23	14-14.9	31
15-15.9	22	15-15.9	32
16-16.9	22	16-16.9	33
17-17.9	22	17-17.9	34
18-18.9	22	18-18.9	34
19-19.9	22	19-19.9	35