Introduction
Body fat percentage is simply the percentage of fat your body contains.
If you are 150 pounds and 10% fat, it means that your body consists
of 15 pounds fat and 135 pounds lean body mass (bone, muscle, organ
tissue, blood and everything else).
Body fat measurements and the measuring tape are recognized as
superior methods for measuring "weight loss". When one
declares that they want to "lose weight", what they often mean
is that they want to lose fat.
Body fat is deposited in 3 places, under the skin (subcutaneous), around
internal organs (internal fat), and fat inside muscle tissue (intramuscular
fat). Skinfold calipers measure the subcutaneous fat, and from this, derive
a body fat percentage.
A certain amount of fat is essential to bodily functions. Fat regulates
body temperature, cushions and insulates organs and tissues and is the
main form of the body's energy storage. The following table describes
body fat ranges and their associated categories:
Body Fat Percentage Categories
| Classification
| Women (% fat)
| Men (% fat)
|
| Essential Fat
| 10-12% |
2-4% |
| Athletes
| 14-20% |
6-13% |
| Fitness
| 21-24% |
14-17% |
| Acceptable
| 25-31% |
18-25% |
| Obese
| 32% plus |
25% plus |
"High body fat levels have been linked to many health problems
including diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, cancer
and osteoarthritis.
Being categorized as “clinically obese” means that body fat is at such
a level that these health problems become more of a concern. Men are considered
borderline at 25% body fat and clinically obese at 30%, while women are
borderline at 30% and clinically obese at 32% body fat."
Formula
|
For Female:
100*(-76.76 + 4.15*waist - 0.082*weight)/weight.
For Male:
100*(-98.42 + 4.15*waist - 0.082*weight)/weight
|
By this formula the percentage body fat is calculated.
Body Fat Percentage Calculator
Disclaimer :
Kimaya Health Calculators are designed to provide you the general information
and guidance regarding health topics. Do not consider these as a replacement
to your regular medical check ups. You should consult your physician
or other health care professional before making any decision based upon
the general information presented here.
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