Final answer:
The most commonly used method of measuring body fat is the skin-fold test. This test involves a health professional using a caliper to measure the thickness of skin on various parts of the body. Other methods, such as DEXA, are more expensive and technically challenging. It is important to also consider body fat distribution, particularly visceral fat.
Step-by-step explanation:
The most commonly used method of measuring body fat is the skin-fold test. This test involves a health professional using a caliper to measure the thickness of skin on various parts of the body, such as the back and arm. The measurements are then compared to standards to assess body fatness.
Other methods of measuring body fat, such as dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), are more expensive and technically challenging.
It is important to note that body fat distribution is also an important factor in determining health risk. Fat deposited in the abdominal cavity, known as visceral fat, is a better predictor of disease risk than total fat mass. Waist circumference can be measured using a measuring tape to assess visceral fat.