Wall stadiometer

The participants had their body mass and height measured to the nearest 0.1 kg and 0.1 cm, respectively, using a scale and a wall stadiometer (Seca, Hamburg, Germany). The body mass index (BMI) was calculated as body mass (kg) divided by squared stature (m²). The eight skinfold thicknesses (triceps, subscapular, biceps, iliac crest, supraspinale, abdominal, front thigh, and medial calf) and five girths (arm relaxed, arm flexed and tensed, waist, gluteal, and calf) from the ISAK restricted profile were measured with an accuracy of 0.1 mm and 0.1 cm, respectively, using a Harpenden skinfold calliper (Baty International, Burgess Hill, England) and an anthropometric measuring tape (CESCORF, Porto Alegre, Brazil). Two measurements were taken per site and a third one was obtained when the TEM was >5%. Either the mean of the two measurements, or the median of the three measurements, was considered for analysis. All anthropometric measurements were performed by a level I-accredited anthropometrist according to the standards of the ISAK [15 ]. The participants wore minimal clothing and no shoes during the assessment, conducted in a private environment. The anthropometrist’s test-retest TEM for the measurement of the same skinfolds and girths in 29 participants ranged between 0.10–2.24%.

Participants had their body mass and height measured to the nearest 0.1 kg and 0.1 cm, respectively, using a scale and a wall stadiometer (Seca, Hamburg, Germany). Skinfold thicknesses and girths were collected according to the selected predictive equations, with an accuracy of 0.1 mm and 0.1 cm, respectively, using a Harpenden skinfold calliper (Baty International, Burgess Hill, England) and an anthropometric measuring tape (CESCORF, Porto Alegre, Brazil). The technical error of measurement scores (TEM) was required to be within a 5% agreement for skinfolds and within 1% for girths [19 (link)]. Either the mean of the two measurements, or the median of the three measurements, was considered for analysis. All anthropometric measurements were performed by a level I-accredited anthropometrist, according to the standards of the ISAK [20 ]. Participants wore minimal clothing and no shoes during the assessment, which was conducted in a private environment. The anthropometrist’s test-retest coefficient of variation for the measurement of the same skinfolds and girths over 29 participants ranged between 0.10–2.24%.

To appreciate the corporal dimensions, height and weight were determined. Subjects were weighed using a medical scale (Torino), wearing a clinical gown. For height determination, a wall stadiometer was used (SECA, Hamburg, Germany). To obtain a proper determination, subjects were required to step with heels together and head in contact with the stadiometer. Subjects kept their head upright on Frankfort’s plane, meaning that a horizontal imaginary line was drawn from the ear to the eye’s orbital area. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated using the weight ratio with the squared height (kg/m²). To determine the abdominal fat distribution of the subjects, the abdominal circumference was measured at the level of the navel without exerting pressure on the body using an asbestos measuring tape. The measurements were collected by trained personnel of the FES-Z [12 ].

Body weight was measured using a standard body weight scale (Seca 707; Seca GmbH & Co. KG., Hamburg, Germany, measurement accuracy ± 100 g). Participant’s height was measured using a wall stadiometer with a precision of 1 cm (Seca, Germany). The BMI was calculated as weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters. Waist circumference was measured with a tape measure to the nearest 0.1 cm between the iliac crest and the lowest rib during exhalation. Hip circumference was recorded at maximal point, over light clothing, using a non-stretch tape measure and without exerting any pressure on body surface. Obesity was defined as BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 [24 ].