1. What is Body Fat Percentage?

Body Fat Percentage (BFP) is the proportion of fat to total body weight. It's a more accurate indicator of fitness than BMI alone, as it distinguishes between fat mass and lean mass.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the following formulas:

Where:

• \( BMI \) — Body Mass Index (kg/m²)
• \( Age \) — Age in years

Explanation: The equation estimates body fat percentage based on BMI and age, with different constants for males and females.

3. Importance of Body Fat Percentage

Details: Knowing your body fat percentage helps assess health risks, track fitness progress, and set appropriate weight management goals. Essential fat is 10-13% for women and 2-5% for men.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter your BMI (calculate separately if needed), age in years, and select your gender. For accurate results, measure BMI under consistent conditions.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How accurate is this calculation?
A: This provides a reasonable estimate but may differ from more precise methods like DEXA scans or skinfold measurements by ±3-5%.

Q2: What are healthy body fat percentages?
A: For women: 21-33% (healthy), <21% (athletic), >33% (overweight). For men: 8-19% (healthy), <8% (athletic), >19% (overweight).

Q3: Why does age affect body fat percentage?
A: Metabolism slows with age, and muscle mass tends to decrease, leading to higher body fat percentages even with stable weight.

Q4: Can athletes get misleading results?
A: Yes, very muscular individuals may show high BMI but low body fat. Alternative measurements may be needed.

Q5: How often should I measure my body fat percentage?
A: Every 4-8 weeks is sufficient to track changes. Daily measurements aren't useful due to normal fluctuations.