Body measurements Info

To calculate body fat percentage add your waist and hip measurements and then subtract the neck measurement to determine your circumference value. The skinfold caliper is a device which measures the thickness of a fold of your skin with its underlying layer of fat. A caliper is a tool that measures skinfold thickness at various parts on the body. A typical healthy woman has a body fat percentage between 21 and 33 2334 if over age 40 or 2436 if over 60. Essential body fat is a base level of fat that is found in most parts of the body. Lean body mass weight 100 bodyfat calories per day the minimum number of calories per day is calculated based on height and sex according to the guidelines of the institute of medicine.

Use a tape measure to determine your waist wrist hip and forearm circumference. Measurements are taken by grasping with the thumb and index finger a fold of skin and any accompanying subcutaneous soft fat and pulling the skin away from the muscle. Measurements are taken at either 3 or 7 different sites on the body. A body fat percentage above 33 if under 40 years old may be considered overweight while 39 or higher puts you in the highest risk category. Lean body mass or fat free mass this is derived by subtracting the calculated value of body fat from the total weight. The amount of essential fat differs between men and women and is typically around 2 5 in men and 10 13 in women.

Female athletes typically have a body fat of 1420 varying by sport. American women aged 20 years and above weigh an average of 1706 pounds lbs according to the centers for disease control and prevention cdcheight wise the average adult female is 5 feet 37. Then input your gender and measurements below to receive a body fat index based on average values. The average adult male body fat percentage should be between 18 and 25. For example if your waist is 30 your hips are. The body fat chart also shows that the percentage of fat needed for the body to function properly increases with age.

The skin is then pinched with the caliper and the reading is taken within 2 seconds. It is necessary fat that maintains life and reproductive functions. For women their percentage of body fat in relation to age should be between 25 and 31. The body fat index is not an indicator of fitness level since the calculation is made with no regard to height or weight. By doing this at the key locations can be a quite accurate representative of the total amount of fat that is on your body it is also possible to estimate the total percent of bodyfat on your body. Skinfold calipers measure the thickness of your subcutaneous fat the fat underneath the skin at certain body locations.