Body Fat Calculator UK Pounds

US Navy Body Fat Formula for Men:

\[ BF\% = 86.010 \times \log_{10}(Waist - Neck) - 70.041 \times \log_{10}(Height) + 36.76 \]

Body Fat Percentage (BF%):

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1. What is the US Navy Body Fat Formula?

The US Navy body fat formula is a method to estimate body fat percentage using circumference measurements. It was developed by the US Navy to assess body composition and is considered reasonably accurate for most populations.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the US Navy formula for men:

\[ BF\% = 86.010 \times \log_{10}(Waist - Neck) - 70.041 \times \log_{10}(Height) + 36.76 \]

Where:

\( Waist \) — Waist circumference at navel (inches)
\( Neck \) — Neck circumference (inches)
\( Height \) — Height (inches)

Explanation: The formula uses logarithmic transformations of circumference measurements to estimate body fat percentage, accounting for the non-linear relationship between body dimensions and fat mass.

3. Importance of Body Fat Measurement

Details: Body fat percentage is a key indicator of health and fitness. While BMI measures weight relative to height, body fat percentage directly assesses body composition. Healthy ranges are typically 8-19% for men and 21-33% for women.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips:

Measure waist at navel level after normal exhalation
Measure neck just below the larynx
All measurements should be in centimeters
Calculator automatically converts to inches for the formula

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How accurate is this method?
A: It's reasonably accurate (±3-4%) for most people but may be less accurate for athletes, elderly, or those with unusual body proportions.

Q2: Is there a different formula for women?
A: Yes, the female formula includes hip measurement: BF% = 163.205 × log10(waist + hip - neck) - 97.684 × log10(height) - 78.387

Q3: What are healthy body fat percentages?
A: For men: Essential fat 2-5%, Athletes 6-13%, Fitness 14-17%, Average 18-24%, Obese 25%+. Women typically have 10% higher values.

Q4: When should measurements be taken?
A: Best in the morning before eating, with consistent measurement conditions for tracking changes over time.

Q5: How does this compare to other methods?
A: More convenient than calipers or DEXA scans but less accurate. Good for tracking trends over time when using consistent measurement techniques.