The importance of the measurement of the circumference of arm, arm muscle area and skinfold thickness during puberty.

Several methods are available to study lean and adipose tissue component of the upper arm, but the use of a specific technique is mostly determined by time and financial expense. Besides, anthropometric techniques (arm muscle area, mid-arm circumference and the triceps skinfold thickness), which are the most practical, simple, inexpensive and noninvasive, x-ray, ultrasound scanning, computed tomography (CT), or magnetic resonance images (MRI) are also used to determine separate measures of muscles, adipose tissue, and bone area. These radiographic methods are expensive and suitable only for research studies. This short review will try to stress the importance of the measurement of the circumference of arm, arm muscle area and skinfold thickness during puberty and adolescence.