fitness-centralA cloth or non-elastic metric measurement tape must be used. When measureing, pull the tape tight enough to keep it in position without causing an indentation of the skin.
Measurements are then taken from the following locations:
| Body Area | Position | Anatomic Site |
| Abdomen | Horizontal | Maximum anterior protuberance of abdomen, usually at the umbilicus |
| Hips (buttocks) | Horizontal | Maximum posterior extension of the buttocks |
| Iliac | Horizontal | Level with the iliac crests |
| Waist | Horizontal | Narrowest part of the torso, level with the natural wiast between the ribs and iliac crest |
When you have the measurements you then need to work out your Body Density using one of the following formulas.
BD for Men = 1.21142 + (0.00085 x weight (kg)) – (0.00050 x iliac (cm)) – (0.00061 x hip (cm)) – (0.00138 x abdomen (cm))
or
BD for Women = 1.168297 – (0.002824 x abdomen (cm)) + (0.0000122098 x abdomen² (cm)) – (0.000733128 x hip (cm)) + (0.000510477 x height (cm)) – (0.000216161 x age)
Body density can then be converted to percent fat by using the following formula:
Men (Fat%) = ((4.95 / BD) – 4.5) x 100
or
Women (Fat%) = ((5.01 / BD) – 4.57) x 100
You can then use the following table to see the general body fat percentage categories for men and women based on age.
| Men | |||
| Classification | 20-39 years | 40-59 years | 40-79 years |
| Underweight | < 8% | < 11%> | < 13% |
| Normal | 8 – 19% | 11 – 21% | 13 – 24% |
| Overweight | 20 – 24% | 22 – 27% | 25 – 29% |
| Obese | > 25% | > 28% | > 30% |
| Women | |||
| Classification | 20-39 years | 40-59 years | 40-79 years |
| Underweight | < 21% | < 23% | < 24% |
| Normal | 21 – 32% | 23 – 33% | 24 – 35% |
| Overweight | 33 – 38% | 34 – 39% | 36 – 41% |
| Obese | > 39% | > 40% | > 42% |
Body Circumferences
Circumference measures are easily used to assess body composition. To ensure accuracy, you must use anatomical landmarks for taking each measurement.
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