Your body fat percentage refers to the amount of fat present in your body as a percentage. Essential body fat is a base level of fat that is found in most parts of the body. For males the formula is body fat 86010 x log10abdomen neck 70041 x log10height 3676. Storage body fat consists of fat accumulation in adipose tissue part of which protects internal organs in the chest and abdomen. Area above the hip bone and either the thigh or abdomen are used for the 3 site measurement. For females the formula is body fat 163205 x log10waist hip neck 97684 x log10height 78387.
The amount of essential fat differs between men and women and is typically around 2 5 in men and 10 13 in women. For your body to function properly it needs a minimum amount of essential fat. Height neck waist and hip circumference. For women a waist measurement of more than 35 inches 89 centimeters indicates an unhealthy concentration of belly fat and a greater risk of health problems. Navy and requires four measurements. 3 however that is just the minimum amount.
Body fat calculator estimate your body fat percentage and body fat mass. The department of defense formula to compute body fat percentage is somewhat complicated. Navy body fat formula boy fat categorization advice on how to reduce body fat and information on precise methods for measuring the percentage of body fat. The body fat caliper calculator is based on the skinfold method of determining body fat percentage. Body fat often gets a bad rap but it serves an important purpose. It is necessary fat that maintains life and reproductive functions.
Focusing on body fat percentage instead of weight is much more useful to track fat loss progress. According to various sources the minimum limit of body fat is around 2 5 for men 2 and 10 13 for women. The storage body fat accumulates when excess energy or calories are consumed this is the type of fat you can safely reduce to either lose. Essential body fat is found in your nerves bone marrow and organs and cannot be lost without negative side effects. Trimming the fat you can tone abdominal muscles with crunches or other targeted abdominal exercises but just doing these exercises wont get rid of belly fat. Your body stores the fat from the foods you eat in deposits that can be used for energy insulation and protection.
Body fat includes essential body fat and storage body fat. A number of methods are available for determining body fat percentage such as measurement with calipers or through the use of bioelectrical impedance analysis. The average adult male body fat percentage should be between 18 and 25. It includes both essential fat and storage fat. The skinfold method measures skinfold thickness at 3 to 9 different locations on the body depending on the method used then computes body density and with it the total body fat percentage. This body fat percentage calculator uses the formula developed by the us.