Body Fat Distribution Measurement
Due to differences in body fat distribution males and females need to take measurements in different areas.
Body fat distribution measurement. Nearly 50 percent of fat distribution may be determined by genetics estimates a 2017 study. Measurements are taken at either 3 or 7 different sites on the body. Use the metric units tab if you are more comfortable with the international system of units si. The waist to height ratio to body fat percentage formula comes from relative fat mass rfm as a new estimator of whole body fat percentage a cross sectional study in american adult individuals orison o.
Skinfold calipers measure the thickness of your subcutaneous fat the fat underneath the skin at certain body locations. We conclude that the lunar idxa provided excellent precision for total body measurements of body composition and fat distribution in a heterogeneous sample of men and women aged 2050 years. The bmi numbers are way too general to be really useful says tammy callahan marketing manager of life measurement inc which. The widely used body mass index bmi provides a measure that allows the comparison of the adiposity of individuals of different heights and weights.
The caliper and dxa conversion methodology can be found inside our body fat. Body fat distribution is a better predictor of the health hazards of obesity than is the absolute amount of body fat. Woolcott richard n. If most of the people in your family have rounder bellies or fuller hips theres a good.
Individuals with an upper body fat pattern reflecting an excess of intra abdominal or visceral fat have significantly greater risk for diabetes hypertension hypertriglyceridemia ischemic heart disease some cancers and death from all causes. The body fat calculator can be used to estimate your total body fat based on specific measurements. Body fat distribution can be assessed by different methods such as computed tomography ct and magnetic resonance imaging mri equipment which are more precise and directly measure the amount of visceral fat. The body fat percentage is a measure of fitness level since it is the only body measurement which directly calculates a persons relative body composition without regard to height or weight.
But others feel that body fat percentage is really the way to go. However they are high cost methods that require extensive training of evaluators and additionally ct involves radiation exposure7 dual energy x ray absorptiometry dxa as well.