Weight Management|How Is Body Fat Measured?

iet and Weight Management

ow Is Body Fat Measured

Measuring a person's body fat percentage is not easy, and

often inaccurate if the methods are not monitored carefully.

The following methods require special equipment, trained

personnel, can be costly and some are only available in

certain research facilities:

Underwater weighing (hydrostatic weighing): This method weighs

a person underwater and then calculates lean body mass (muscle)

and body fat. This method is one of the more accurate ones,

however, it is generally done in special research facilities, and

the equipment is costly.

BOD POD: The BOD POD is a computerized, egg-shaped chamber.

Using the same whole-body measurement principle as hydrostatic

weighing, the BOD POD measures a subject's mass and volume,

from which their whole-body density is determined. Using this data,

body fat and lean muscle mass can then be calculated.

DEXA: Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) is used to

measure bone density. It uses X-rays to determine not only

the percentage of body fat, but also where, and how much fat is

located in the body.

The following two methods are simple and straightforward:

Skin calipers: This method measures the skinfold thickness of

the layer of fat just under the skin in several parts of the body

with calipers (a metal tool similar to forceps), the results are then

calculated and the percentage of body fat is determined.

Bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA): Another seemingly simple

method. There are two methods of the BIA. One involves standing

on a special scale with footpads. A harmless amount of electrical

current is sent through the body, and then percentage of body fat

is calculated. The other type of BIA, involves electrodes that are

typically placed on a wrist and an ankle, and on the back of the

right hand and on the top of the foot. Change in voltage between

electrodes is measured. The person's body fat percentage is then

calculated from the results of the BIA.

Health clubs and weight loss centers often use the skin caliper or bioelectric impedance

analysis method, however, they can yield inaccurate results if an inexperienced person

performs them or they are used on someone with significant obesity.

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