Secular trends for skinfolds differ from those for BMI and waist circumference among adults examined in NHANES from 1988–1994 through 2009–20101–3

Although the prevalence of a body mass index [BMI (in kg/m 2 )] ≥30 has tripled among US adults since the 1960s, BMI is only moderately correlated with body fatness. Because skinfolds can more accurately estimate body fatness than can BMI, it is possible that skinfolds could be useful in monitoring secular trends in body fatness.