Are skinfold measurements of value in the assessment of suboptimal nutrition in young children?

Weight, height, head circumference, triceps and subcapsular skinfolds, mid upper arm circumference, and mid upper arm muscle circumference values were obtained from well children, children suffering from dehydrating gastroenteritis, and children suffering from severe protein calorie malnutrition to determine if these measurements could be used to assess nutritional status. The results indicate that, in Cape Town, there is a significant correlation between skinfold thickness for age, and weight and height for age, and that skin-fold measurements can be used as an additional, reliable, objective measure of suboptimal nutrition and early protein calorie malnutrition in group surveys, particularly where the exact ages of children are not known.