The value of skinfold measurements. Skinfolds represent a relatively simple method of measuring general fatness and fat distribution. The validity of skinfold measures in the hands of an experienced measurer in people who are not excessively obese can be quite high, however reliability is quite variable, depending on the measurer, and sensitivity quite low. Skinfold measures may be useful for elite athletes, or for testing small amounts of fat losses after a significant amount of fat has been lost. They have little value, though, for the very overfat or obese mainly because:

• It is difficult to get accurate measures on extremely large folds of fat

• Extrapolation of skinfold to body fat percentage have little meaning at the higher levels of measurement.

• The measurement of skinfolds is relatively invasive and can be potentially embarrassing for a very fat person.

The value of skinfolds as a measure of body fat in those who have a high level of fat, therefore, is highly questionable, both practically and theoretically. However, they do have some value with the moderately overweight and with athletes (at least where sums of skinfold only are used), they are not recommended in dealing with overfat or obese subjects.

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‘Have a heart!’ you’ll hear somebody say. Or ‘he’s all heart!’ Ever said that to anyone?

We all know the body has a heart. Often it’s equated with emotions. ‘Heart-throb’ and ‘heart-break’ are common words which relate feelings to this important part of the body. Although the ancients believed the heart had something to do with [...]

‘Sarah is now seven weeks old,’ Jane said, as she came into my surgery. ‘I thought it was high time I had a chat with you about needles and immunization and all that.’

‘I’m glad you came,’ I said. ‘Take a seat, and let’s talk medi-talk.’

‘Good,’ she replied, settling into one of the comfy seats. I [...]

Herbs, vitamins and mineral supplements can play an important role in childbirth, preparing the mother’s body for conception, nourishing her throughout the pregnancy, preparing her for the rigours of the birth and, afterwards, assisting with her rapid recovery and with breastfeeding. Of course, care should be taken when ingesting any substance during pregnancy and women [...]

Aside from Judy’s story, I have encountered another person whose panic-disorder symptoms appear to have been helped by St John’s Wort. A 25-year-old woman wrote to me from Germany that she had been plagued by episodes of anxiety, palpitations, vertigo, pressure in her chest, tension and irritability – feelings she experienced especially intensely when in [...]

A food of chemical susceptibility usually starts with an addictive type of response, a “high” reaction. In time, however, this usually gives way to increasing periods of illness or depression. Sooner or later, the “down” phases become predominant, and it becomes more and more difficult for the addict to get any stimulation at all from [...]

Electric refrigerators cool by means of circulating certain rare refrigerant gases. Air conditioners work on a similar principle. In the course of operation, either through some defect or through wear and tear, the gases can slowly begin to leak out of these appliances. Such leakage can be a major problem for some people, a source [...]

Home care

Any ear pain can be temporarily relieved by aspirin or paracetamol. Gentle heat applied to the ear may relieve pain but occasionally worsens it. Anesthetic ear drops must penetrate to the eardrum, and some ear, nose, and throat doctors prefer that these drops not be used. Nose drops and oral decongestants may unblock the [...]

Cholesterol has many vital functions in our body, including:

•    Membrane function. Cholesterol forms part of the cell membrane of each cell in our body. Because it is a hard fat, it gives the membranes rigidity and stability.

•     Synthesis of steroid hormones. The sex hormones oestrogen, progesterone, DHEA and testosterone [...]

What causes them?

•     The fall in oestrogen (and to some extent testosterone) levels in the blood.

•     Psychological changes that occur quite independently of the purely physiological ones. Few women are totally unmoved by what the menopause means for them as women and many have fears, both rational [...]