Body fat percentage

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Body fat percentage (BFP) is a measure of an individual's overall body composition, calculated as the total mass of fat divided by total body mass, and then multiplied by 100. Body fat can be divided into two types: essential body fat and storage body fat. Essential body fat is necessary for maintaining life and reproductive functions, whereas storage body fat accumulates in adipose tissue and helps protect internal organs in the chest and abdomen.

Essential Body Fat and Storage Body Fat

The percentage of essential body fat is higher for women than for men due to the demands of childbearing and other hormonal functions. Essential body fat is crucial for maintaining normal physiological functions, such as temperature regulation, hormone production, and providing a source of energy.

Storage body fat, on the other hand, acts as an energy reserve and provides cushioning for internal organs. The distribution of storage body fat can vary significantly among individuals, with some people carrying more fat in their abdominal area, while others carry it in their hips, thighs, or buttocks.

Methods for Determining Body Fat Percentage

A variety of methods are available for determining body fat percentage, including:

• Caliper Measurements: A widely used method that involves measuring skinfold thickness at specific sites on the body using calipers. These measurements are then used to estimate total body fat.
• Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA): A method that measures the resistance of the body to a small electrical current. Since fat and lean tissue have different levels of resistance, this method can be used to estimate body fat percentage.
• Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA): A more advanced and accurate method that uses X-ray technology to differentiate between bone, fat, and lean tissue, providing a detailed assessment of body composition.
• Air Displacement Plethysmography (ADP): A method that measures body volume by assessing the displacement of air in a closed chamber, which can then be used to calculate body fat percentage.

Body Fat Percentage vs. Body Mass Index

Body Mass Index

Body fat percentage is a more accurate measure of an individual's fitness level compared to the widely used body mass index (BMI), which is a measure that allows the comparison of the adiposity of individuals with different heights and weights. While BMI largely increases as adiposity increases, it does not account for differences in body composition. For example, individuals with greater muscle mass or larger bones will have higher BMIs.

As a result, BMI is a useful indicator of overall fitness for a large group of people but may not be an accurate tool for determining the health of an individual. Body fat percentage, on the other hand, provides a more direct assessment of a person's body composition, making it a better indicator of their overall health and fitness level.

See also

• Adipose tissue
• Andreas Münzer
• Body water
• Classification of obesity
• Lizzie Velásquez, a woman with "zero percent body fat"
• Relative Fat Mass (RFM)

External links

Body fat percentage Resources
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