1. What is Body Fat Percentage?

Body fat percentage is the proportion of fat to total body weight. Unlike BMI, it directly measures body composition. Skinfold measurements estimate subcutaneous fat thickness which correlates with total body fat.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses skinfold measurements with gender and age-specific equations to estimate body density, then converts this to body fat percentage using the Siri equation:

Where density is calculated differently for men and women of different ages based on skinfold measurements.

Explanation: The skinfold method assumes a constant relationship between subcutaneous fat and internal fat stores, with equations derived from hydrostatic weighing studies.

3. Importance of Body Fat Measurement

Details: Body fat percentage provides better health assessment than weight alone. Essential fat is 2-5% for men, 10-13% for women. Athletes typically have 6-13% (men) or 14-20% (women), while obesity begins at 25% (men) or 32% (women).

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: For accurate results:

• Measure skinfolds on the right side of the body
• Take measurements with calipers perpendicular to skinfold
• Take multiple readings at each site and average them
• Measure when properly hydrated (morning is best)

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How accurate is the skinfold method?
A: With proper technique, it's about 3-4% accurate compared to DEXA scans. Accuracy depends on the skill of the person taking measurements.

Q2: What are the standard measurement sites?
A: For men: chest, abdominal, thigh. For women: triceps, suprailiac, thigh. Some equations use additional sites.

Q3: Can I use this if I'm very overweight?
A: Skinfold methods become less accurate at higher body fat percentages (>30%). Other methods like BIA may be better.

Q4: How often should I measure?
A: Every 4-8 weeks is sufficient to track changes. Daily measurements show too much variability.

Q5: What affects measurement accuracy?
A: Hydration status, recent exercise, temperature, menstrual cycle (for women), and technician skill all affect results.