Both methods have advantages and disadvantages. Caliper measurements depend on the skill of the measurer and type of caliper used. Fluid retention can affect the results. Eating pizza and drinking beer the night before skinfold measurements is not advised.

BMI can be a poor measure of body fat because it does not differentiate bone and muscle mass from fat mass. BMI can wrongly classify people as obese if they have above average bone and muscle mass. If you are muscular, caliper measurements may be more accurate.