1. Body mass index
Body mass index is a calculation that uses your weight and health to estimate how much body fat you have. The calculation for figuring out your BMI is your weight in kilograms divided by your height in metres squared.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) now defines healthy weight, overweight and obesity according to one's BMI rather than traditional height/weight charts. If your BMI is:
• below 18.5 you're considered underweight
• between 18.5 and 24.9 you're considered a healthy weight
• between 25.0 and 29.9 you're considered overweight
• between 30.0 and 39.9 you're considered obese
• over 40 you may be morbidly obese
While calculating your BMI is a good starting point, it does have inaccuracies as it doesn't take body fat into consideration. For example, body builders tend to have a higher BMI due to their muscle mass, but this doesn't mean they're at risk of being overweight.
2. Body fat percentage and lean body mass
Your body fat percentage is just that – the percentage of your weight which is made up of fat. The part of your body that is not fat is referred to as lean body mass. For example, an individual who weights 160 lb with a lean body mass of 110 has 25 per cent body fat (40 lb of fat). That may sound like a large amount of fat, but keep in mind that a certain amount is necessary to keep healthy. Your body uses fat for natural insulation, energy storage and hormone production.
Page 1 of 2 -- Learn 3 accurate methods for measuring your body fat percentages on page 2.
