Body Fat Index Calculator

Body fat is actually a collection of adipose tissues in the body that store energy in the form of fats. An excessive increase in these tissues leads to obesity and other health problems. So, it is necessary to keep an eye on the body fat percentage.

When you are following a weight loss program, it is necessary to have a regular check on the reduced body fat rather than the weight. There are two types of body fat: essential and storage fats. While the former refers to the fat present in the vital organs like the heart and the brain, the latter refers to fat present almost in every part of the body.

The functions of body fat include:

• Regulation of body temperature.
• Insulation of body organs.
• Energy storage.

Calculating Body Fat Percentage
Body fat index refers to the percentage of fat in your body. To calculate it, all you have to do is measure your height and weight. The important factors that determine the percentage of fat include:

• Age
• Gender
• Height
• Weight

The method for calculating it is different for men and women.

First of all, you need to measure the following:

• Waist
• Neck Size
• Height
• Weight

See that you measure them in units of the same measurement system. The formula that you need is given below:

%BF = 495 / (1.0324 - 0.19077 (log (waist - neck) ) + 0.15456 (log (height) ) ) - 450

Body Fat in Percentage
Very low : 7-10
Low: 10-13
Average : 13-17
High : 17-25
Very High : above 25

For Women
Initially, measure the following:

• Waist
• Hip
• Neck
• Height

The formula that you need is given below:

%BF = 495 / (1.29579 - 0.35004 ( log (waist + hip - neck) ) + 0.22100 (log (height) ) ) - 450

Very low : 14-17
Low : 17-20
Average : 20-27
High : 27-31
Very High : above 31

Alternate Method
Another technique that uses a common method for calculating the percentage of body fat for both men and women is given below:
Step 1: Measure your weight in pounds and multiply the figure by 703. Note down the answer and mark it as result i.

Step 2: Find out your height in inches and square the figure. Note down the answer as result ii.
Step 3: Now divide result i by result ii. This will be the percentage of body fat.

Height = 5' 4'' (5 feet 4 inches) = 60 inches (1 foot = 12 inches)
Weight = 55 kg = 121.2 pounds (1 kg = 2.2046 pounds)
Step 1: 121.2 * 730 = 88476
Step 2: 60 * 60 = 3600
Step 3: 88476 / 3600
Body Fat Percentage = 24.57%

Normally, the body fat should not be more than 25% in men and 31% in women. Additionally, when lowering body fat, care must be taken that the percentage of essential body fat does not fall below 10-13% in women and 2-5% in men.

Excessive fat puts one at a risk of developing health problems such as blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol, whereas low body fat causes your body to enter into catabolism state.

Catabolism is the process in which your body breaks down proteins and other nutrients instead of fat for energy storage. So, if your body fat is more, follow an exercise regimen to maintain an ideal body fat index.