Abstract
This investigation examined the validity of skinfold (Sum7 and Sum3), near-infrared interactance (NIR), and bioelectrical impedance (BIA) estimations of percent body fat (% fat) in 41 nonathletic young women (mean age ± SD = 20.1 ± 2.3 yrs) by comparing the estimates to values obtained from underwater weighing (mean % fat = 18.9 ± 4.4). The statistical analyses included examination of the constant error, standard error of estimate, r, and total error (TE). Results indicated that the Sum7 and Sum 3 (TE = 2.3 and 2.4% fat, respectively) skinfold equations most accurately estimated % fat, and therefore are recommended over the NIR and BIA procedures (TE range = 3.9 to 7.2% fat) for use with nonathletic young women.