ACE Health Coach Certification Practice Test

Which skinfolds should be measured to estimate body fat percentage for a female client?

1. Triceps, thigh, and suprailium

2. Chest, thigh, and abdomen

3. Triceps, subscapular, and abdomen

4. Subscapular, suprailium, and thigh

The correct answer is: Triceps, thigh, and suprailium

To estimate body fat percentage for a female client, the accepted practice often includes measuring skinfolds at specific sites that are representative of overall body fat distribution. The correct choice involves measuring at the triceps, thigh, and suprailium. The triceps skinfold is indicative of subcutaneous fat in the upper arm, which is commonly assessed in females. The thigh measurement is important as it reflects fat distribution in the lower body, which can vary significantly between individuals. The suprailium, which is located above the iliac crest (the upper part of the hip bone), is particularly useful because this area often shows significant fat accumulation in women. Combining these three sites provides a balanced estimation of body fat percentage, as they collectively offer insights into both the upper and lower body composition. While the other options also include valid skinfold measurement sites, they do not specifically align with the commonly accepted methods for estimating body fat percentage in females. Each of those combinations might provide useful data, but the triceps, thigh, and suprailium are particularly chosen for their effectiveness and representativeness in this context.