Body Composition Measurements

1.  Your Body Mass Index (BMI) is an estimate of your body fat, based on your height and weight.

The higher your BMI, the higher your risk of developing conditions as heart disease, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, and type 2 diabetes that are associated with obesity.

While it is generally accurate, the BMI can give values that are too high for athletes or individuals with large, heavy muscles. Likewise, it can show low values for frail older people who have lost muscle mass.

Compare your BMI to the values below to determine whether or not you are in a healthy range.
Below 18.5: Underweight
18.5 - 24.9: Normal
25 - 29.9: Overweight
30 and above: Obese

2.  A more accurate way to calculate your body fat is use Body Fat Percentage Formula.  You will need to do some measurement using to calculate it accurately. 

Body Fat Percentage Formula For Women
Factor 1 (Total body weight x 0.732) + 8.987                          __________
Factor 2 Wrist measurement (at fullest point) / 3.140                 __________
Factor 3 Waist measurement (at naval) x 0.157                         __________
Factor 4 Hip measurement (at fullest point) x 0.249                   __________
Factor 5 Forearm measurement (at fullest point) x 0.434            __________
Lean Body Mass = {[(Factor 1 + Factor 2) - Factor 3] - Factor 4} + Factor 5 _____________
 

Body Fat Percentage Formula For Men

Factor 1 (Total body weight x 1.082) + 94.42                          __________

Factor 2 Waist measurement x 4.15                                         __________

Lean Body = Mass Factor 1 - Factor 2                                                             _____________

Calculate Body Fat Percentage using your measurements:

- Subtract your Lean Body Mass from your Total Body Weight to calculate your Body Fat Weight

Body Fat Weight  = Total bodyweight - Lean Body Mass

- Now calculate the Body Fat Percentage

Body Fat Percentage = (Body Fat Weight x 100) / total bodyweight

Average Body Fat Index for Men & Women in percentage

Values are estimated and can be plus or minus 5 percent to give a range for the body fat index.

Age  18 - 40

Healthy Body Fat for Females 26%

Healthy Body Fat for Males 13%

Age  41 - 60

Healthy Body Fat for Females 28%

Healthy Body Fat for Males 16%

Age  61 - 79       
Healthy Body Fat Females 29%

Healthy Body Fat Males 18%

3.  Calculate your estimated Ideal Weight.

Not completely accurate but it will give you a general idea of what you should be aiming for.

Ideal Weight
5 ft. = 100 pounds.

Add 5 pounds per inch over 5 ft.

Note: there could be a 10-20% difference depending on your body frame and build.

4.  Basal Metabolic Rate

Your Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) is the energy (in calories) expended by the body at rest. This continual work makes up about 60-70% of the calories we use and includes the beating of our heart, breathing, and the maintenance of body temperature. Factors such as the body type, amount of exercise and physical activity, type of profession and many morewill effect the energy requirement.

BMR Formula
Women: BMR = 655 + ( 4.35 x weight in pounds ) + ( 4.7 x height in inches ) - ( 4.7 x age in years )

Visit Our Store for body composition scales, skin fold calipers, tape and other body fat measuring instruments.

 

 

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