Why 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.
NB: 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!
|
NB: Body Fat Scales can be bought in the Kurvaceous on-line store CLICK HERE! |
|
|
Active Wear
