Body Fat Calculator

In our vast world of computer technology, body fat calculators have followed the progression accordingly. From skin fold calipers to high-tech machines, these tools can be found in several forms depending on what works best for you.

What is Body Fat?

There is no perfect body figure. To an extent, we are genetically predestined to be the size and shape we have come to be. The amount of muscle tissue and body fat are components of our make-up. However, environment and lifestyle habits play a major role in exacerbating our body shape and muscle/fat ratio.

Apple or Pear?

You may have heard about the apple and pear analogy when describing a person’s health. Where we store body fat differs among individuals as well. It is medically believed that fat stored around the stomach area (aka: the apple shape) puts a person at higher risk for heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and certain cancers. In contrast, fat that tends to accumulate at the hips or below (aka: the pear shape) does not seem to carry these same health risks. Either way, however, excess fat mass is not healthy and can be lowered with diet, exercise, and monitoring for necessary adjustments to your regime.

Waist to Hip Ratio Method: While this is not considered a true body fat calculator, it is an easy, no cost way of assessing your body’s tendency toward fat distribution and consequential health risks. You simply measure your waist at its smallest point without sucking in your stomach intentionally. Then measure across both hips and buttocks at the largest point. Now, divide waist number by hip number. If the resulting number is close to 1.0, you are most likely an “apple” and at higher risk for health concerns. If the number is much lower than 1.0, you are probably a “pear” and extra weight may not be cause of severe health concerns. The most desirable indicator for a healthy weight in women is less than .80 and for men is less than .95 as outcomes of waist to hip formula.

Importance of Lowering Body Fat

No matter where fat tends to accumulate on an individual’s body, lowering its presence is directly related to better overall health and longevity. As we age, the more muscle mass on our bones, the stronger and healthier we remain. This is because muscle tissue utilizes more energy (read: calories) than fat tissue, hence metabolic rate keeps running at a higher pace that allows for easier weight management. It is profoundly understood and realized through research that maintaining a healthy weight is key to disease prevention. Body builders are particularly interested in the amount of muscle and fat they carry as more muscle is the ultimate goal for strength. Whether you are competing in a body building contest, running a marathon, engaged in a fat-burning program, or trying to lose weight, the lowering and monitoring of body fat is of utmost importance.

Types of Body Fat Calculators

There are many body fat calculators available today. Some are as simple as the reliable skin fold calipers used in medical facilities for ages. Others are as intricately made as your laptop computer. Here is a list of some popular body fat calculators available to you:

• Skin fold Calipers: Available as a manual or a battery-operated tool, this gadget is accurate and relatively inexpensive, except for the highly advanced version spotted at $250.00. It is fairly easy to use, but not as quick as digital body fat calculators. It is used by placing the calipers between the skin fold behind the upper arm or 1” above the hip bone.

• Step-on Model: Most body fat calculators are a component of the traditional body weight scale that is stepped upon and magically measures body fat percentage with high tech internal programming. Accurate, quick, and easy, these calculators give you results in seconds. Some models include features such as the ability to store information for several individuals, offer a healthy range indicator, and can even provide appropriate daily calorie intake. Batteries are required for use. One to check out is the Tanita BF-681. Most body fat calculators of this type will cost you between $30.00 - $130.00.

• Hand-held Model: Similar to the scale model, this type of monitor is held with both hands. It also uses high tech internal computerized programming to measure body fat mass and uses batteries to operate. Cost is relatively similar to scale version at $30.00 - $100.00 depending on features included. Check out this top seller.

Health Warning

Because of the intricate and intense electronic mode of action used for body fat calculators performance, individuals who have any type of internal medical device should avoid. Cardiac pacemakers, electrocardiograph devices, or any other medically implanted device used for life support can be interrupted with use. Please check with your medical professional and read the fine print of all electronic body fat calculators before using.