By including age the equations attempt to compensate for the fact that as your body ages it begins to lose lean muscle, retain intra-abdominal fat, and lose bone density. These things are not measurable with your body fat calipers.

The age compensation included within the equations is based on normal people, not active trainers. Physical activity and especially strength training will negate the age part of the equation.

So, if you are in superior shape you will likely get a more accurate body fat percentage by just claiming to be 20 or 21 if you still want to buy alcohol when you do your body fat calculations.

The calculator below computes the total surface area of a human body, referred to as body surface area BSA. Direct measurement of BSA is difficult, and as such many formulas have been published that estimate BSA.

The calculator below provides results for some of the most popular formulas. Related Area Calculator Surface Area Calculator. BSA is often used in clinical purposes over body weight because it is a more accurate indicator of metabolic mass the body's need for energy.

Metabolic mass can be estimated using fat-free mass, where fat-free mass is all of a person's body mass that does not include fat. This includes bones, tendons, inner organs, muscles, blood, nerves, and more.

Since body fat is not metabolically active and fat-free mass excludes body fat, fat-free mass is a reasonable estimate of metabolic mass. BSA is also used in various other clinical settings, such as determining cardiac index to relate a person's heart performance to their body size or most commonly, dosages for chemotherapy a category of cancer treatment.

While dosing for chemotherapy is often determined using a patient's BSA, there exist arguments against the use of BSA to determine medication dosages that have a narrow therapeutic index — the comparison of the amount of a substance necessary to produce a therapeutic effect, to the amount that causes toxicity.

If the therapeutic index is too narrow, BSA may not be an accurate enough measure, and there is a risk of causing a toxic rather than therapeutic effect. There is also evidence that BSA becomes less accurate at the extremes of height and weight, and BMI may be a better estimate in such cases.

Despite these limitations, the effects of chemotherapy dosages as determined by BSA measurements still remain more consistent than those determined by body weight alone. Below are some of the most popular formulas for estimating BSA, and links to references for each for further detail on their derivations.

The most widely used of these is the Du Bois formula, which has been shown to be effective for estimating body fat in both obese and non-obese patients, unlike body mass index. Where BSA is represented in m 2 , W is weight in kg , and H is height in cm , the formulas are as follows:.

Du Bois D, Du Bois EF Jun Archives of Internal Medicine 17 6 : PMID Retrieved

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Again, BMI only measures body mass. A basic measure of BMI does not measure body composition. As mentioned above, some weight lifters may have a relatively high BMI. This is why it is important to use a tape measure or body caliper to obtain a more accurate reading which better reflects your true health.

Estimating your body fat percentage is one way to track your health progress. This is especially helpful if you want to lose weight and gain lean muscles. You can start with a simple measuring tape and calipers, or even go to a healthcare center for more thorough measurements.

The following are different ways to measure your body fat percentage. Using a tape measure is one of the most convenient ways to track BFP.

This method is done by taking your height, weight, waist circumference, and neck measurements. In addition, hip circumference is taken for women. A widely used body fat percentage equation was developed by the Naval Health Research Center NHRC , with the following formulas below.

Because you need to take several measurements, the tape test has a lot of room for error. You must repeat measuring at least three times to ensure they are correct. It also pays to have a skilled person do the measurements to maintain precision.

Get your body fat percentage by performing a skinfold test. This is done with calipers that measure subcutaneous tissue how thick your fat is in different areas of your body. Calipers are also affordable and widely available tools to measure body fat.

The popular 3-site approach was developed by researchers A. Jackson and M. You can take the 3-site approach, a 4-site approach, or a 7-site approach to get your body fat percentage.

These pinch tests can be done in the following skinfold sites:. For instance, a 4-site approach for men may include the abdomen, chest, tricep, and subscapular skinfold. For women, a 4-site approach may measure the area above the hip bone, abdomen, thigh, and the midaxillary area.

The skinfold test is said to have an error range of 3. Lukaski , author of Body Composition: Health and Performance in Exercise and Sport. This special scales utilizes bioelectrical impedence analysis BIA technology. It basically allows electrical current to pass through your legs all the way up to your body.

These scales operate on the principle that fat conducts less electric current compared to muscle and water content in the body.

Thus, it registers higher body fat percentage when it indicates more resistance. To come up with a body fat percentage, this scale incorporates its bioelectrical reading with information such as your weight, height, age, and gender.

However, according to Healthline , this tool may not provide very accurate results compared to previous methods. Some body fat scales may also not work well for athletes, older individuals, and children. Make sure to read the manual before purchasing one.

Hydrodensitometry, also known as hydrostatic weighing, is one of the most accurate methods for measuring body fat percentage. This method involves submerging individuals under water, and later on allowing them to exhale as much oxygen as they can from their lungs.

The subject is then weighed back on land, while estimating how much air is still in their lungs. It can only be found in special facilities such as health clubs, universities, and large hospitals. Other limitations include subjects who are unable to completely go under water.

Another precise way to estimate body fat mass can be done through magnetic resonance imaging MRI or computerized tomography CT scans. Apart from helping physicians look inside cross sections of your body, MRI and CT scans can help measure intra-abdominal fat.

Though this is not a common method, doctors have found a way to use these tools for their patients. A study published in the Journal of Applied Physiology used whole body MRI to quantify and evaluate different body fat deposits in 67 women. In a related study found in the Journal of Digital Imaging, researchers in Korea proposed to use CT scans for automated fat assessment.

The results suggested that fat assessment using CT scans is reliable tool for estimating body fat. MRIs and CT scans cost a hefty sum.

Gain valuable insights with real-time statistics and analytics for your calculator. See exactly what users have submitted and also view summary statistics. Enterprise Package. Support Package. Skip the support lines and receive priority one-on-one support from our customer service team.

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No link. Skinfold Body Fat Definition With obesity on the rise, many people are concerned about their health and want to know how much body fat they have and if the amount is within normal levels. How to use the Skinfold Body Fat Calculator The Skinfold Body Fat Calculator lets users put in the following factors : Gender of User Age of User Triceps measurement Thigh measurement Suprailiac measurement Abdomen measurement Chest measurement After you put in these factors into the Skinfold Body Fat Calculator, you merely click on the calculator button and it shows you your exact body fat measurements.

What Good is Body Fat? Why Should You Know How Much Body Fat You Have? How to Calculate Skinfold Body Fat Let's be honest - sometimes the best skinfold body fat calculator is the one that is easy to use and doesn't require us to even know what the skinfold body fat formula is in the first place!

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