Some experts tout bmi or body mass index as the most accurate way to determine the effect of weight on your health. Therefore bmi can sometimes underestimate the amount of body fat in overweight or obese people and overestimate it in more muscular people.
Body Composition Scales Understanding Your Measurements
Body fat distribution measurement. For example if your waist is 30 your hips are. Body circumference measurements and body fat scales that use bioelectrical impedance are both methods you can do on your own. The body fat index is not an indicator of fitness level since the calculation is made with no regard to height or weight. A bmi is a fairly simple measurement and does not take into account fat mass or fat distribution in the body both of which are additional predictors of disease risk. Use a tape measure to determine your waist wrist hip and forearm circumference. Measuring the circumference of certain body parts is a simple method of body fat estimation.
For example the us army uses a body fat calculation that simply requires an individuals age height. Then input your gender and measurements below to receive a body fat index based on average values. Methods of measuring body fat and body fat distribution include bioelectrical impedance bi computed tomography ct magnetic resonance imaging mri skinfold thickness ultrasound underwater weighing waist circumference waist to hip circumference ratios whr and x ray absorptiometry dxa. In fact most recent medical research uses bmi as an indicator of someones. To calculate body fat percentage add your waist and hip measurements and then subtract the neck measurement to determine your circumference value. Body fat weighs less than muscle mass.
Skinfold thickness using a simple hand caliper or pincer waist circumference and waist to hip circumference ratios are the easiest and most convenient. While not as accurate as skinfold measurements taken by a trained.
Gallery of Body Fat Distribution Measurement
