intensitylisa
Cathlete
Are the BMI and body fat % the same thing? What is the difference between the two? My BMI is lower than the body fat % Thanks!
BMI, Body Fat %?
- Thread starter intensitylisa
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Are the BMI and body fat % the same thing? What is the difference between the two? My BMI is lower than the body fat % Thanks!
Aquajock
Cathlete
BMI and body fat percentage are not the same thing. BMI, or Body Mass Index, is simply a rewarmed version of the standard height weight tables, in which you do some sort of calculation of height and weight to develope an index over and under which you should not go to be healthy. It does NOT factor in the composition of whatever comprises your "weight" (i.e. body fat, lean muscle mass, skeletal mass, vital organs, water, etc.) nor does it factor in body type and thus, IMHO, is precisely useless as a piece of information.
Body fat percentage is a calculation of how much body fat (storage fat and essential fat) a person has in relation to her total body weight. It is, perhaps, a more important measurement of one's overall healthy body composition, because excess storage fat (in CLINICAL terms, not Shape Magazine terms) is a proven health risk. It's far more complicated to measure body fat percentage, but it's a bit more useful.
A-Jock
Body fat percentage is a calculation of how much body fat (storage fat and essential fat) a person has in relation to her total body weight. It is, perhaps, a more important measurement of one's overall healthy body composition, because excess storage fat (in CLINICAL terms, not Shape Magazine terms) is a proven health risk. It's far more complicated to measure body fat percentage, but it's a bit more useful.
A-Jock
TarHeelMom
Cathlete
A-jock and educated crowd, a question
I have one of those Tanita scales that reports weight and body fat percentage based upon bioelectrical impedance analysis (say that three times fast). Reportedly, it gives a fairly accurate reading of your body fat percentage if you measure when fully hydrated at the end of the day (although that's when your weight will be correspondingly heavier, too).
I've been puzzled by the fact that as I've recently (finally) succeeded in losing weight AND have gained visible muscle, my body fat percentage has only changed by about 2%. I still have some visible fat in the abdomen, which has been my real problem area, but I have definitely lost fat there, too, as well as all over my body in smaller amounts. And I have lost lots of inches. I would have thought that by now my body fat percentage would have dropped more.
Any thoughts on this?
And, by the way, is there a recommended body fat percentage -- chart, formula, etc. -- for people in general and for mid-life fit women??
http://e4u.deltait.com.au/sport/sport23.gif Kathy S.
I have one of those Tanita scales that reports weight and body fat percentage based upon bioelectrical impedance analysis (say that three times fast). Reportedly, it gives a fairly accurate reading of your body fat percentage if you measure when fully hydrated at the end of the day (although that's when your weight will be correspondingly heavier, too).
I've been puzzled by the fact that as I've recently (finally) succeeded in losing weight AND have gained visible muscle, my body fat percentage has only changed by about 2%. I still have some visible fat in the abdomen, which has been my real problem area, but I have definitely lost fat there, too, as well as all over my body in smaller amounts. And I have lost lots of inches. I would have thought that by now my body fat percentage would have dropped more.
Any thoughts on this?
And, by the way, is there a recommended body fat percentage -- chart, formula, etc. -- for people in general and for mid-life fit women??
http://e4u.deltait.com.au/sport/sport23.gif Kathy S.
Aquajock
Cathlete
RE: A-jock and educated crowd, a question
Hi, Kathy S.! Couple of things to keep in mind:
1. A consumer scale of any kind may be somewhat more inaccurate than the measurements you might have through a clinic or research facility;
2. Not knowing what your previous body fat percentage was, it's difficult to determine whether you "should" have lost more BF. If you have indeed lost inches, and have been able to do more challenging cardio / weight lifting programs, then maybe body fat percentage isn't a number you need to worry about or even track;
3. That said, here is some info from my ACE Personal Trainer textbood "General Body-Fat Percentage Categories" (for women):
Essential fat: 10-12%
Athletes: 12-20%
Fitness: 21-24%
Acceptable: 25-31%
Obese: 32 % and higher
There isn't much explanation of this table; I'm presuming that you do NOT want to be below 10-12% body fat or above 32% body fat and still be in a healthy range. As you can see, it does NOT distinguish among age groups.
Hope this helps -
A-Jock
Hi, Kathy S.! Couple of things to keep in mind:
1. A consumer scale of any kind may be somewhat more inaccurate than the measurements you might have through a clinic or research facility;
2. Not knowing what your previous body fat percentage was, it's difficult to determine whether you "should" have lost more BF. If you have indeed lost inches, and have been able to do more challenging cardio / weight lifting programs, then maybe body fat percentage isn't a number you need to worry about or even track;
3. That said, here is some info from my ACE Personal Trainer textbood "General Body-Fat Percentage Categories" (for women):
Essential fat: 10-12%
Athletes: 12-20%
Fitness: 21-24%
Acceptable: 25-31%
Obese: 32 % and higher
There isn't much explanation of this table; I'm presuming that you do NOT want to be below 10-12% body fat or above 32% body fat and still be in a healthy range. As you can see, it does NOT distinguish among age groups.
Hope this helps -
A-Jock
TarHeelMom
Cathlete
Thanks Annette!
That's very helpful info. Unfortunately, according to this chart I'm still perilously on the border of "Acceptable" -- and I'm certainly not obese; in fact, I look slim and healthy these days and am comfortably into most of my size 6 slacks and skirts. Last night my Tanita registered 31%. But when I look at myself trying to be carefully objective, I don't think I'm more than maybe five or six pounds away from losing the last of the tummy. Could five or six pounds on a small-framed person make that much difference?? I can't imagine, with these numbers, how thin I'd look at 24%, or how much weight I'd have to lose to get there!
The only other factor I can play with here is hydration, and I stay pretty well hydrated, I think. That said, I'll slurp down more water and see in a few days what the ol' Tanita says.
http://e4u.deltait.com.au/sport/sport23.gif Kathy S.
That's very helpful info. Unfortunately, according to this chart I'm still perilously on the border of "Acceptable" -- and I'm certainly not obese; in fact, I look slim and healthy these days and am comfortably into most of my size 6 slacks and skirts. Last night my Tanita registered 31%. But when I look at myself trying to be carefully objective, I don't think I'm more than maybe five or six pounds away from losing the last of the tummy. Could five or six pounds on a small-framed person make that much difference?? I can't imagine, with these numbers, how thin I'd look at 24%, or how much weight I'd have to lose to get there!
The only other factor I can play with here is hydration, and I stay pretty well hydrated, I think. That said, I'll slurp down more water and see in a few days what the ol' Tanita says.
http://e4u.deltait.com.au/sport/sport23.gif Kathy S.
naughtoj
Cathlete
RE: Thanks Annette!
Kathy....just FYI...the bodyfat scale always measures me higher than calipers or water. Atleast 4% higher. I am doing the hydrostatic weighing method this weekend and will let you know how it compares to my scale this time around. I will mention though that my scale is not a Tanita, but a reputable brand.
Stay off those things. They are EVIL!!
Janice
Kathy....just FYI...the bodyfat scale always measures me higher than calipers or water. Atleast 4% higher. I am doing the hydrostatic weighing method this weekend and will let you know how it compares to my scale this time around. I will mention though that my scale is not a Tanita, but a reputable brand.
Stay off those things. They are EVIL!!
Janice