In addition to the BMI testing, other measurment tools like the percentage of bodyfat is used to determine how healthy or ideal your total weight is. Your body fat percentage is simply the percentage of fat your body contains. If you are 200 pounds and 10% fat, it means that your body consists of 20 pounds fat and 180 pounds lean body mass (bone, muscle, organ tissue, blood and everything else). In other words, it is the total weight of the person’s fat divided by the person’s weight. The resulting number reflects both essential fat and non-essential or storage fat.
Essential fat is that amount of fat necessary for maintenance of life and reproductive functions. The percentage for women is greater than that for men.
Storage fat consists of fat accumulation in adipose tissue, part of which protects internal organs in the chest and abdomen.
Fat regulates body temperature, cushions and insulates organs and tissues and is the main form of the body's energy storage. Different authorities have developed different recommendations for ideal body fat percentages. One such standard is that from the The American Council on Exercise:
|
Description |
Women |
Men |
|
Essential fat |
10–12% |
2–4% |
|
14–20% |
6–13% |
|
|
Fitness |
21–24% |
14–17% |
|
Acceptable |
25–31% |
18–26% |
|
32-41% |
27-37% |
|
|
42%+ |
38%+ |
Note that the essential fat values in the chart above are lower than the recommended minimum body fat percentage levels. A small amount of storage fat is required to be available as fuel for the body in time of need. ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_fat_percentage )
According to the website (http://www.annecollins.com/body-fat-calculators.htm), there are three main ways to calculate body fat: Home Body Fat Scales, Skinfold Calipers (Callipers), and Hydrostatic Weighing.
Each of these body fat calculation methods has advantages and disadvantages. For simplisity sake, there are a number of online tools available for making the same calculations. These would include:
http://www.healthcentral.com/cholesterol/home-body-fat-test-2774-143.html
http://www.healthstatus.com/calculate/bfb
http://www.scientificpsychic.com/fitness/diet.html
http://lowcarbdiets.about.com/library/blbodyfatcalculator.htm
I tend to use the third source; I have found that it is easier to use and access, plus it gives you your BMI score as well.
Knowing your percentage of bodyfat is highly important because if you have an excess amount, you run the risk of developing obesity related problems like: heart problems-clogged veins and arteries, Type II Diabetics, various forms of cancer and sleep apena. If you have too littlle body fat, you run the risks of serious health complications. Dehydration, starvation, decreased bone mass and menstrual disorders for women (http://www.components-of-physical-fitness.com/body-fat.html) .
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