Why
you need to know your Body Fat Level
Charting body fat is more accurate than charting body weight because
body weight does not take into account muscle mass.
Muscle mass is metabolically active and therefore allows our bodies
to burn calories just by sitting still!
Body fat is deposited in 3 places, under the skin (subcutaneous),
around internal organs (internal fat), and fat inside muscle tissue
(intramuscular fat)
The following Body Fat Calculator provides an estimate of your Body
Fat and a guide to your Lean Body Mass (which contains your Muscle
Mass).
|
Body Fat Rating Scale |
| |
MEN |
WOMEN |
| Exceptionally Lean** |
6-10% |
10-15% |
| Very Lean |
11-14% |
16-19% |
| Lean |
15-18% |
20-25% |
| Moderate |
19-24% |
26-29% |
| Overfat* |
25%+ |
30%+ |
*Men are considered borderline
at 25% body fat and clinically obese at 30%, while women
are borderline at 30% and clinically obese at 35% body fat.
**A lower body fat percentage for women increases chance
of amenorrhea (cessation of menstruation).
Body Fat Scales
Another way to measure body
fat is to use a Body Fat Analyzer. A Body Fat Analyzer measures
body fat using Bio-electric Impedance Analysis (BIA). A very
low power current is passed through the body, and makes an
assessment based on the level of water content in the body
(muscle holds a high water content whilst fat holds a low
content).
Body Fat Scales are a better option for some people - particularly
those that have a high body fat percentage. However others
feel that they are less accurate than calipers. This is very
much a personal preference. I personally prefer to use Body
Fat Scales as they are a controlled method for testing body
fat. Calipers are very much dependent on who does the testing,
if they test in the same spot and how much “fat” or “skin”
they actually hold. I have had two different fat readings
within the space of an hour by 2 different people! |
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