Anthropometry (measuring body fatness) Is a good way to track improvements in health and fitness
BMI is commonly used however because BMI does not take the amount of lean body mass or Bone structure into account, it is a poor measure of fatness.
The best methods of measuring body fatness are MRI, CAT scans or Underwater weighing but these are often expensive and not practical for regular use.
The Next Best method is the use of skinfold callipers
Common Skinfold sites
Triceps
Biceps
Subscapular
Suprailiac
Chest
Abdominal
Mid-anterior thigh
the most common tables for calculating bodyfat % is the Durnin and Womersley table and the Jackson and Pollock table
the Durnin and Womersley table requires measurements at the Tricep, Bicep, Suprailiac and Subscapular sites
the Jackson and Pollock table requires chest, mid abdominal and Mid-anterior thigh and for woman Tricep, Suprailiac and Mid-anterior thigh.
after taking the measurements and calculating a total you are able to find your bodyfat % on the appropriate chart.
For accurate results you need to have an experienced person take the measurements and due to the locations involved it is not possible to take the measurements yourself.
Bioelectrical Impedance
some bathroom scales can now measure bodyfat % by measuring the time it takes for an electric pulse to pass through the body, this is a convenient method but is less accurate than other methods. to minimise variations try to measure at the same time each day avoiding taking the measurements after a big meal or having a lot to drink. In the morning when you wake up after going to the bathroom is a good time.
how to interpret bodyfat %
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