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This calculator is designed to give the approximate percentage of body fat, based on weight and waist size as compared to published
medical data. It is a pretty accurate guideline but is no substitute for
seeing a doctor. To do this self evaluation, select your gender on the
calculator. Enter your present weight and waist size. Click on Calculate for the
approximate body fat percentage to be displayed; compare the result to the table
below. You may change the values or click on Clear Values to try again.
Additional Notes
There is a tremendous amount of variation in the body fat of different groups of people, in particular, of athletes. In athletes, the percent body fat can range from 5 to 20% in males and from 10 to 20% in females. The difference is highly dependent upon the specific sport or activity. Athletes competing in sports where body weight is at least partially supported in the environment, such as diving, swimming or rowing, tend to have higher levels of body fat. Athletes involved in very high intensity anaerobic activities such as track short events or endurance events in track, basketball, or wrestling tend to have semewhat
lower body fat levels.
Having more or less body fat can be an advantage or a disadvantage depending
upon the particular athlete's activity. Having more body fat can be an advantage
for contact sports such as being a rugby player blocking and tackling, or
oriental *sumo) wrestling. Having less body fat is an advantage when the main
goal is to propel the body through space, as in distance track events or other
endurance events. Aerobic performance can be negatively affected when body mass
is increased in athletes.
There are two types of body fat. They are essential and storage. Essential fat
is required for the body's hormone and immune systems to function properly.
Storage fat is used as fuel for the body in time of need. Essential fat is
stored in the bone marrow, heart, lungs, liver, spleen, kidneys, intestines,
muscles and other organs. Women carry additional essential gender-specific fat
in the breasts, pelvis, hips and thighs. This fat is biologically important for
child bearing and other hormone related functioning. Women carry more than four
times as much essential fat as men. Essential fat should account for at least 10
to 12 percent of a woman's total weight. It is possible that lower levels may
impair her health. In addition to essential fat, women have varying amounts of
storage fat. This is the fat that we gain or lose as our weight changes. Storage
fat amounts to about 15 percent of an untrained woman's total weight. A total
body fat percentage of 20 to 27 percent is well within a normal, healthy range
for women. With training, body fat percentage may be as low as 12 to 16 percent.
For the best analysis, see your doctor. |
