USEFUL INFORMATION
BODY FAT
Hidden Fat Not Revealed by BMI
Although BMI calculates a simple obesity level, there is also hidden fat that not revealed by a BMI designation.
Although both cases are for people of similar height and weight, and their BMI designation are normal, the body fat percentage for case B is high.
That is, although case B has normal body weight, the actual fat level is high, revealing the “hidden fat.” This hidden fat may lead to increased susceptibility to common diseases, even though the BMI designation is normal.
Examples of hidden fat
CaseA |
| CaseB | |
F | Gender | F | |
34 | Age | 34 | |
5' 7 7/8" | Height | 5' 7 1/2" | |
144.0 lb | Weight | 141.0 lb | |
22.0 | BMI | 21.8 | |
(Normal) | (Normal) | ||
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27.2% | Body fat percentage | 34.5% | |
Normal | High | ||
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Body fat percentage classification
Let’s look at an example
BODY FAT PERCENTAGE
BODY FAT PERCENTAGE
CLASSIFICATION
Example of display:
• Body Fat Percentage:29.3 %
• Body Fat Percentage Classification: 0
When most people think of body fat, they have a negative image of it. However, body fat serves a vital role in storing energy, protecting internal organs, etc. While too much body fat may be unhealthy, having too little may also be unhealthy. The distribution of body fat in men and women is different, so the basis of classifying the body fat percentage for males is different than for females.
Interpreting the Body Fat Percentage Result
Gender | Age | Low | Normal (0) | High (+) | Very High (++) | |||
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Female | < 21.0 | 21.0 | - 32.9 | 33.0 - 38.9 |
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| 39.0 | |
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< 23.0 | 23.0 | - 33.9 | 34.0 - 39.9 |
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| 40.0 | ||
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| < 24.0 | 24.0 | - 35.9 | 36.0 - 41.9 |
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| 42.0 | |
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Male | < 8.0 | 8.0 | - 19.9 | 20.0 - 24.9 |
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| 25.0 | |
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< 11.0 | 11.0 | - 21.9 | 22.0 - 27.9 |
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| 28.0 | ||
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| < 13.0 | 13.0 | - 24.9 | 25.0 - 29.9 |
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| 30.0 | |
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Based on NIH/WHO guidelines for BMI
Based on Gallagher et al., American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 72, Sept. 2000
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