Underwater weighing-Under water, lean tissue sinks and fat floats. Other ways of measuring body fat include: Health professionals use these skinfold measurements in equations that estimate body fat.Ĭalipers are widely used because they are inexpensive and easy to use, but they are less accurate than other methods.
#Bmi body fat calculator skin#
Calipers are small clamp-like devices that determine the amount of fat you have lying just below the skin by taking skinfold measurements at various locations on your body, such as the back of your arm and your waistline. If you have ever had your body composition tested at a gym or by a dietitian, it may have been tested with calipers. There are several ways you can find out your percentage of body fat. So, whether or not your BMI indicates that you are overweight, it is important to find out if you are carrying too much body fat. On the other hand, some people’s BMI indicates that they are healthy, when they are actually overweight, with little lean tissue and too much fatty tissue. Some people’s weight and height measurements put them in the overweight or even obese category while, in reality, they are lean and muscular. The problem with BMI is that it does not work for everyone. ToĬalculate your BMI, divide your weight in kilograms by your height in meters squared. For most people, BMI is closely associated with the amount of body fat they carry. Health professionals use BMI to calculate whether a person is underweight, normal weight, overweight, or Your body mass index (BMI) is a measurement that takes your height into account. No matter what you weigh, the higher percentage of body fat you have, the more likely you are to develop obesity-related diseases, including This measurement is a clearer indicator of your fitness. But can the scale tell you the whole story? While it may be a good idea to keep tabs on your weight, it is also important to understand what makes up your weight.īody composition refers to the proportion of fat you have, relative to lean tissue (muscles, bones, body water, organs, etc). Many either dread or anticipate what that little scale will say. The bathroom scale is a standard tool for anyone trying to get into better shape. Your Body Fat Percentage: What Does It Mean?