body fat tests?

[laura35]

I noticed on the beachbody forum that when testing body fat they only pinch the area above your hip bone. When I got tested at the YMCA they tested in three areas. the triceps, middle quad and suprailiac crest(just above the hip bone). How can you get an accurate measurement with just doing one area?

 

[GreenEyedLefty]

It depends on the type of caliper you are using. According to Burn the Fat Feed the Muscle, the Accu-Measure caliper uses only the area above the hip bone you referred to and it's (supposedly - I haven't tried it) just as accurate as the other methods.

 

[just_another_jennifer]

I have a registered dietitian in the office next to me who takes my measurements on a monthly basis. She takes the bicep, tricep, hip and upper back (close to the midline). Seems like one measurement wouldn't give you a good "overall" body indication since changes can occur or not occur over several areas. I am sure there are differing theories on this, as there seem to be on everything fat-loss related! Glad you asked this and hope you get more posts!

Jen

 

[acatalina]

Anne
Aka( Storm)

http://www.picturetrail.com/acatalina

 

[laura35]

I also thought that one area on the body wouldnt be accurate. Back then my tricep area was my worst as far as body fat. My legs and stomach area werent too bad. I dont think just measuring the area above the hip bone would be accurate enough to say that is your body fat. thanks for the responses.

 

[acatalina]

Don't know what happened to my post.
Throw it away. Go digital and take pics,,,, Look at yoursef privately.......In the buff..
You will see your results..
Muscle weighs more than fat... remember...
I don;t trust calipers.
Underwater weighing is supposed to be the most accurate.
If you look good A+++++\
Semi good A+++OK A+
Gained cellulite A-
Just keep trying...

Anne
Aka( Storm)

http://www.picturetrail.com/acatalina

 

[dreamyjeanie]

The way I use the one area test is just as a comparison on myself. For example if I started out at 25% and 2 months later I am at 21%, I know I am improving. (notice I said if. Wish I could see a 4% drop in 2 months, LOL) As for how it compares to other methods, I know the hip area gives me a lower read than my Tanita scale which is really only analyzing lower body fat (which I apparently have more of LOL). They say the most accurate method is the underwater method which is hard to come by and can also have inaccurate results depending on if the person is able to let out all their air each time they are measured. I think the important thing to remember is that what ever method one chooses to use, they should use the same method each time so they can get a fairly accurate comparsion over time.

Jean

 

[laura35]

thats true. I didnt think about using it to gauge progress even just from that one area. thanks!

 

[Sunshine 1528]

It seems the first couple of pounds for me come right off the hip bone area. And then all the cellulite on my behind and thighs remains.

That is where my body fat lies and doesn't seem that any of the tests I have seen measure my worst areas.

Leaves me to use my clothes as a "caliper"

 

[LauraMax]

JMHO--no body fat test is truly accurate. They're a nice way to gauge your progress, but I wouldn't rely on them for an actually body fat measurement.