What Are the Margin for Errors in Body Fat Calculators?
Many fitness buffs have opted to step off the scale because it is considered an inaccurate measurement of weight, as bones, body fat and muscle mass can't be differentiated. Instead, fitness experts recommend body fat calculators, which are more acute measurements of body composition. However, there are still margins for error in these tools.
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Varities of Body Fat Calculators
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From simple pinch tests to complete body submersion in water, there are many different types of body fat calculators, ranging from just a few bucks to hundreds of dollars. These tests have different degrees of accuracies, with errors in calculations from 2 to 5 percent, according to Shape Fit, a health and fitness resource.
Accuracies of Body Fat Calculators
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The pinch test, which uses calipers to measure folds of skin on specific areas of the body, is only as accurate as the person conducting the test. Errors in measurement can range from 2 to 4 percent in miscalculations. To ensure the most accurate test, always have the same individual perform your pinch test. Another body fat calculator is the biolectrical impedance test, conducted by a trained technician who has the person lie down and connects electrodes to hand and foot. A radio frequency pulse is run through the body to measure water content, and this calculation provides a estimate of body fat with an error of 2 to 2.5 percentage points. However, some tests have shown a miscalculation of up to 10 percent, when the person being tested was dehydrated. The immersion test, known as hydrostatic weighing, is considered the most accurate body fat measurement method available. The test, which can cost up to $300, requires complete submersion in a pool of water. The margin of error is only 1 percent, as long as the person being tested exhales all air out beforehand, according to Shape Fit.
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Expert Insight
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To get leaner, start slow. Initial goal setting should be focused on attainable objectives, such as moving from one body fat classification category to the next. Regular body assessment should be performed because developing muscle will tip the scale, but reduce body fat percentage.
Body Mass Index Test
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To determine fitness level, don't rely on the scale. Body fat does not weigh as much as muscle mass, and this means even people who look thin could have high percentages of body fat. To quickly assess body fat, perform a simple Body Mass Index--height squared divided by your weight. The body mass index was initially intended to be a broad indication of general health, but it often is used to determine cardiovascular risk. Generally, for adults, a figure of less than 18.5 is considered underweight, while 18.5 to 24.9 is normal, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
Body Fat Ranges
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Body fat percentages vary for men and women The percentage of recommended body fat percentage in men and women varies. According to the American Council on Exercise, levels for men range from 2 percent of essential body fat to 26 percent and above, which is considered obese. For women, essential body fat shouldn't be less than 10 percent or more than 32 percent, according to the American Council on Exercise.
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References
- Photo Credit Image by Fotolia.com, courtesy of Andrey Kiselev Image by Fotolia.com, courtesy of RomainQuéré
