Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41582231›Full record

ArticleScientific reports2026

A comparative analysis of BMI and skinfold measurements in the assessment of body composition parameters.

Yousef Mohamed Abdulrazzaq, Elhadi Aburawi, Mahera Abdulrahman, Ayesha Alshamsi, Marwan Zidan

Abstract readComparative Study
In one paragraph

Article in Scientific reports, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

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0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Yousef Mohamed AbdulrazzaqDepartment of Paediatrics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, UAE University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. yousef@uaeu.ac.ae.
Elhadi AburawiDepartment of Paediatrics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, UAE University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.
Mahera AbdulrahmanHealth Informatics and Smart Health Department, Dubai Health Corporation, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Ayesha AlshamsiMetabolic and Genetics Department, Tawam Hospital, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.
Marwan ZidanDepartment of Medical Education and Scientific Research, Dubai Health Corporation, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Funding

Al Jalila Foundation Grant no. AJF201712
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

To measure biceps, triceps, subscapular, and suprailiac skinfold thicknesses, and to construct population growth charts for these skinfolds and for the sum of the 4 skinfold thicknesses. One aim was also to derive the percentage of body fat from skinfold thicknesses, and to determine whether BMI and MUAC could be used to measure body fatness. The research methodology involved a cross-sectional study design, with data collected from children 0-18 years of age across different age groups and in both sexes in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). We included at least 200 children in each age-sex group. Height, weight, biceps skinfold, triceps skinfold, subscapular skinfold, suprailiac skinfold, and mid-upper-arm circumference were measured in each child. We determined whether the calculation of percentage body fat from the skinfold measurements correlated with BMI in the United Arab Emirates population. We also determined whether any of the above is a good indicator of fatness in children. Statistical tests used were Pearson's correlation, partial correlations and concordance coefficient. The total number of children studied was 19,960 children (9646 boys and 10,314 girls). BMI, upper-arm circumference, sum of four skinfolds, and percentage body fat charts were constructed using the LMS smoothing method. BMI significantly correlated with the sum of skinfold thicknesses and mid-upper-arm circumference. Prevalence of obesity and overweight in ages 13-17 years was respectively 9.94% and 15.16% in females and 6.08% and 14.16% in males. Derived body fat charts were found not to be accurate. BMI and MUAC were not concordant with the sum of 4 skinfold thicknesses. National BMI, upper-arm circumference, and sum of four skinfolds charts have been constructed as a reference standard for the UAE. The sum of four skinfold thicknesses provides a more accurate measure of adiposity than BMI or MUAC in UAE children. These UAE-specific growth charts enable better assessment of childhood obesity.

Indexed as

Body CompositionBody Mass IndexSkinfold ThicknessAdolescentChildChild, PreschoolCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHumansInfantInfant, NewbornMaleUnited Arab EmiratesBody compositionBody mass indexChildrenMid-upper arm circumferenceSkinfold thicknessUAE

Identifiers

PMID41582231
PMCPMC12905421

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