A body fat index calculator is used to determine your body fat percentage. The percentage is a good indicator of body composition and health in most cases. For athletes such as linemen in football, extra body fat isn't as much of a health concern since they are physically active.

To determine the measurement, these types of calculators used estimates based on body measurements. A more accurate measure, however, would involve underwater weighing or a measure of body volume in a reduced air chamber.

Luckily, the measurement we obtain from the calculator is an reasonably good indication of percentage of body fat.

Also, it needs to be mentioned that there are two types of fat: essential and storage. Essential fat consists of fat in such areas as the heart, lungs, liver, spleen, kidneys and intestines. Normal functioning in these areas require the presence of fat.

Storage fat on the other hand includes fat found primarily in adipose tissue. This includes the surface fat whose main purpose is to keep us warm and protect internal organs.

Also, men and women on average have different percentages of fat, with women having more. The reason for this difference probably has to do with biologically important functions for women such as child bearing and other related functions.

As a result, when estimating the percentage of body fat for women and men, different formulas have to be used. In addition to sex, the following formula use height, waist and neck size (in centimeters) to determine the percentage of body fat for men. For women, the formula also uses the same metrics, but includes their hip measurement as well.

Thus For Men:

%BF = 495/(1.0324-0.19077(log(waist-neck))+0.15456(log(height)))-450

and for Women:

%BF = 495/(1.29579-0.35004(log(waist+hip-neck))+0.22100(log(height)))-450

Instead of calculating the formula by hand, use this convenient body fat index calculator instead. And as always, remember that information is always your best ally in your effort to burn fat.

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Source: www.isnare.com