Body Mass Index
Too much body fat can lead to a number of heath issues, include heart disease, hypertension (high blood pressure), type 2 diabetes and varicose veins. The body mass index (BMI) uses your height and weight to determine the approximate amount of fat in your body. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), you can determine your BMI by multiplying your weight in pounds by 703. The number for a 175 lb. person would total 123,025. You then divide that number by your height in inches. If a person is 5'8" (68 inches) that would be 1,809. You would divide that number again by your height in inches. In this case the BMI would be 26.6 and is considered to be overweight.
An ideal BMI ranges from 18.5 and 24.9. The BMI is not always an accurate method of determining whether you should lose weight. For example, weightlifters might have a high BMI because muscle weighs more than fat. In addition, it might be advantageous for older people to have a slightly higher-than-average BMI to help protect them from osteoporosis.
Waist to Hip Ratio
The ratio of your waist circumference to your hip circumference is known as your waist-to-hip ratio (WHR). This type of measurement considers the amount of fat stored on your waist, hips and buttocks. You determine your waist and hip circumferences by dividing your waist measurement by your hip measurement. A woman who has a 26-inch waist and measures 36 inches around the hips would have a WHR of 0.69. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says a number of 0.80 or less for women is considered safe. For men, the number is 0.90.
Body Fat Calculator
An online body fat calculator estimates how much body fat you are carry and whether it is a healthful level based on your age, sex, hip, waist and neck measurements. According to healthstats.com, a woman with a 25-inch waist and 36-inch hips who weighs 135 lbs. has an estimated body fat percentage of 19 percent, based on the U.S. Navy body fat formula. Healthstats says the average body fat percentage for women is 32 percent. Men between 20 and 40 years of age should have body fat that ranges between 10 percent and 20 percent while men older than 40 should aim for 19 percent to 23 percent.
Body Fat Scales
Body fat scales measure body impedance using low, safe electrical current that is passed through the body. The current moves freely through the fluids contained in muscle tissue, but runs into opposition when it makes its way through fat tissue. This resistance of the fat tissue to the electrical current is referred to as "bioelectrical impedance." By using the impedance measurements along with a person's sex, height, weight, body type and fitness level, the percentage of body fat can be determined.
When you step on one of the more sophisticated body scales, it can calculate your weight, percentage of body fat, body water and muscle mass in a matter of seconds.
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