Relationship of tricipital crease and thigh crease as indicators of fat accumulation in college students

Assessment of body composition is central to understanding obesity and eating disorders. We aim to determine body fat accumulation by measuring the tricipital and anterior thigh creases to prevent early metabolic risks. This research was carried out through a quantitative cross-sectional study, collecting anthropometric data from 26 students of the Technical University of Ambato, aged between 19 and 22 years, belonging to the third semester of the Nutrition and Dietetics career. The results indicate that the measurement of a single skinfold cannot be an exclusive indicator of body fat percentage. It is necessary to perform an adequate nutritional assessment and take various anthropometric measurements to accurately diagnose the patient's body composition. In conclusion, the exclusive use of tricipital and thigh fold measurements does not provide a complete picture of visceral fat, which is metabolically more active and may be associated with an increased risk of disease.