Fat/Lean body mass determination

C

CathydsRNA

Cathlete
Hi,
Is there an at home method for determining one's fat/lean body mass ratio? Awhile back I bought a Tanita scale that supposedly does this by sending an electric current through your body and back to the scale. Based on the resistance differences between fat and the rest of your body, the scale is supposed to calculate body fat percentage. I perform the measurement at the same time of day, about an hour after I wake and have had some water to drink (need to be hydrated for the measurement)but from one day to the next, the calculation indicates that I have several more pounds of fat and several pounds less of lean body mass and vice versa. I know this isn't true and therefore I am ready to throw this scale in the trash . However, I am interested in keeping track of fat lost and lean body mass gained. How I fit in my clothes and using a tapemeasure won't address this. Any ideas anyone?
Thanks
 
I have a Tanita scale and I've decided to just ignore the fat percentage. I know what you mean by how much it varies. It just depends on how hydrated you are. Mine also tells me every morning that I'm obese x( so if I listened to it I would need therapy I'm sure. The scale tells me I'm about 33% fat. I have fat skinfold calipers and the measurements tell me I'm about 20%, so I have a certain affection toward the calipers, even though I don't care for them much either. You can get skinfold calipers several places... here for one: http://www.fwonline.com/cal.htm When you determine your % fat you can easily calculate your lean body mass.

Pam
 
Hi Pam,
Thanks! I am going to order myself a set of calipers. Do they come with instructions and where to measure or is there a web site with these instructions somewhere. I know I can pinch an inch in some places LOL, but not in others. I want to make certain that I get an accurate by measuring in enough places and doing it correctly. Thanks.
:)
 
The calipers should come with a booklet on how and where to take measurements. There are different places to take measurements from, I use the thigh, above the hip bone, and back of arm (tricep)measurement, but some also include the front of arm and back below the shoulder blade. Then you take the sum of the skinfold measurements and get the % body fat off a chart. If you don't like the measurements that your caliper bookklet comes with I bet you could find another set of measurements/chart on the web. For example the booklet I have includes a back measurement, and since I do the calipering myself the back would be hard to get, so I use another set and chart. I think if done carefully it is the best way to measure fat other than the imersion method. Good luck!

Pam
 
I have used body measurements and an online calculator at
www.am-i-fat.com
The most basic one uses your weight and waist measurement.

I would be curious if anyone with calipers can tell me if using that calculator is at all accurate.

Thanks
Jen
 
Jen,

Out of curiosity I went to the "am-i-fat" website and did the calculations. I had some pretty odd results. Under the one labeled, "Am I Fat", I got an 18% body fat and the comment of, "You are marginally thin, eat more".
Under the "body fat percentage" calculator, it gave me a 30% body fat and called me obese.
Both of these results were using my height and weight. The second one also uses waist/hip/wrist/forearm measurements. I am 5'7" tall and weigh 112 lbs. My measurements are pretty much in line with my height and weight.
 
Yes, I got the same odd results. I've used many online calculators before and my results vary from 15%-20%. This am-i-fat calculator gave me the highest fat rating so far, 32%.

There was a thread a long time ago about body fat percentage and someone said that the best way to get your body fat measured is by having yourself immersed in water. It just isn't something you can do by yourself and so easily.

For my purposes I use the calculator that comes in the Zone book. I pick one way to measure my BF percentage and stick with that. It probably isn't accurate either, but I have a measuring stick that helps me chart my progress and/or setbacks.

Pinky
 
Yes that calculator seemed strange to me in SOME ways but I figured using it to mention a chance in body fat might be helpful, if I use the same method both times.

I am 5 7 and weight 122, my waist is 27 inches so that was I think 21 percent. I think that is probably on target. Years ago when I had similar measurements I had the calipers and came in at 22 percent.

I then played with the numbers at the amifat place. It looks like to lower my percentage I have to gain weight while maintaining or losing inches in my waist. Which makes sense, as I am not very muscular yet. And my excess flab is around my waist.

Then 2nd one came in at something like 30 percent. No matter how I messed with the numbers could I get it to be anything significantly less, which I thought was strange.

Jen
 
I did the same thing Jen... changed the numbers around and it still came in at about 30-31%! I think that particular calculator must not be working right.

The other one that gave me 18% is probably pretty close, like you said. I am 5'7" and 112 lbs, as mentioned above, and my waist is 24 inches. I thought it interesting that they asked for the forearm measurement. I've used wrist measurement before, but never forearm!:eek:
 
JeanneMarie: WOW, 24"! that is one tiny waist! What size are you? I am now a 4 and am having trouble finding that size clothes, especially with long legs...can't buy petites. Where do you buy your clothes?

Sorry don't mean to meander off the subject!

Jen
 
Jen,

You just hit on one of my pet peeves in life ~ not being able to find clothes. They just don't make clothes small enough for me in most women's clothing. I can wear juniors, but I am 47 years old and most of those styles are just too young for me.

I wear a size 0 or a size 2, depending on the brand. Skirts and tops in a size 2 petite fit me very well, but there's no way I can wear petite pants with my legs on a 5'7" body! I buy a lot of my clothes (especially my jeans) from the Victoria's Secret catalog. They have the small sizes and most times you can order the longer lengths. Their skirts, tops and dresses fit me very well in a size 0.

I also wear a lot of clothes from the INC (International Concepts) line at Richs/Macys. They have the petite sizes with a lot of really cute stuff.

The Limited and Express tend to have the small size pants in longer lengths, but a lot of times you have to hit the store right when they put them on the rack because there will only be one or two pairs in that size/length, and they don't last long!

Otherwise, I do a lot of shopping, trying on and cussing! :eek: Any tips you can give me for finding small, fashionable clothing for a 47 year old would be MUCH appreicated! :)
 
Thanks for the tips on those stores, I had someone recommend Macy's recently ....you might try The Gap or Old Navy. I 'm 37 and I agree with you on the styles. The Gap had some good jeans in 0s and 2s, I remember. SOme of the styles were sort of young for shorts but still ok in many ways. Also Old Navy is OK but I have yet to find a pair of pants that actually fit me even though they carry 0s 2s and 4s...the waists are just still too big, even if the hips are fitting.

I have had friends recommend Nordstroms and also Eddie Bauer. Havent had a chance to check them out yet. Unless it is on sale Nordstroms is usually out of my price range. There is an Eddie Bauer around here but it is a long drive that I don't have time for....

Catalog shopping sometimes helps but then you have to know without a doubt which size you use in a particular brand, or you end up spending $$ sending things back and forth.

It is frustrating! And my friends who are larger sizes don't want to hear me complain! :)
 
I have one of those scales and it is a $100 piece of crap!!! I gain/lose about 3% body fat each day. It also tells my husband that he is extremely obese, but he's super-hot and toned!!!
 
I have one of those scales and it is a $100 piece of crap!!! I gain/lose about 3% body fat each day. It also tells my husband that he is extremely obese, but he's super-hot and toned!!!
 
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