Healthy Body Fat Percentage (overweight, doctor, stomach, pounds)

[mjohnson4381]

Does anyone know what a healthy body fat percentage is? I just went to a calculator online that asked for my waist, abdomen, neck, hip, and height in inches. After I put in all that, the result was a 31%. I'm surprised that it's that high, because I really don't feel like I'm out of shape.

So, I searched for places online to find out what a healthy body fat percentage is. I think one said that female under 30 should be less than 32%, which is cutting it close. Another website said anyone over 25% is overweight and anyone over 31% is obese. I know I'm not obese, but am I fatter than I realize? I weigh 135 and I'm 5'5" and I run four or five times a week for 20-60 minutes. And I don't pig out, most of the time. I thought I was healthy?

Or is using online calculators to calculate body fat percentage a stupid idea?

[Charles]

Originally Posted by mjohnson4381

Does anyone know what a healthy body fat percentage is? I just went to a calculator online that asked for my waist, abdomen, neck, hip, and height in inches. After I put in all that, the result was a 31%. I'm surprised that it's that high, because I really don't feel like I'm out of shape.

So, I searched for places online to find out what a healthy body fat percentage is. I think one said that female under 30 should be less than 32%, which is cutting it close. Another website said anyone over 25% is overweight and anyone over 31% is obese. I know I'm not obese, but am I fatter than I realize? I weigh 135 and I'm 5'5" and I run four or five times a week for 20-60 minutes. And I don't pig out, most of the time. I thought I was healthy?

Or is using online calculators to calculate body fat percentage a stupid idea?

What would an internet forum of online posters tell you that qualified medical professional wouldn't?

[LaoTzuMindFu]

Originally Posted by mjohnson4381

Or is using online calculators to calculate body fat percentage a stupid idea?

Well .......... pretty much. If you really want to know your body fat %, find a really good pair of body fat calipers or go have one of those water displacement tests (cant remember what they are actually called). This is where you are weighed in a huge tank of water and they also see how much water is displaced after you are lowered in.

The problem with the online tests (and BMI) is that they do not work for someone who is physically fit. I know someone who is 5' 4" tall and weighs 145 pounds but has about 21% body fat. She is totally ripped, works out every day, and is probably fitter than 98% of women in her age range. But at 145 pounds that online BF % test thing would probably say she's 40% fat.

[mjohnson4381]

Thanks! That makes me feel better. How do I get a real test? Do I have to join a gym or something?

[LaoTzuMindFu]

If you can "pinch more than an inch" on your stomach, then you probably have too much body fat. Pinch the backs of your hands, then pinch your stomach (while standing). Notice the difference?

[LaoTzuMindFu]

Im not sure where. Your doctor? Maybe a gym? I had mine done at a gym I joined a few years back.

Here's a formula for you to try. Found this on another bodybuilding/Fitness site I go to:

multiply your weight by 1.082
ex. (200lbs x 1.082 = 216.40)
add 94.42
ex. (216.40 + 94.42 = 310.82)
mulriply your waist measurment by 4.150
ex. (34" x 4.15 = 141.10)
weight factor - weight factor
ex. (310.82 - 141.10 = 169.72)
actual weight - lean body mass
ex. (200 - 169.72 = 30.28)(30.28 is your body fat)
(body fat / actual weight) x (100)
ex. ([30.28 / 200] x 100 = 15.14%)

your body fat would be 15.14%

[mjohnson4381]

Umm...yeah. Is it literally an inch? There's not much to pinch on my hand, but I broke out the ruler and the fat on my stomach is in the neighborhood of an inch.

[mjohnson4381]

Originally Posted by DaBeez

Im not sure where. Your doctor? Maybe a gym? I had mine done at a gym I joined a few years back.

Here's a formula for you to try. Found this on another bodybuilding/Fitness site I go to:

multiply your weight by 1.082
ex. (200lbs x 1.082 = 216.40)
add 94.42
ex. (216.40 + 94.42 = 310.82)
mulriply your waist measurment by 4.150
ex. (34" x 4.15 = 141.10)
weight factor - weight factor
ex. (310.82 - 141.10 = 169.72)
actual weight - lean body mass
ex. (200 - 169.72 = 30.28)(30.28 is your body fat)
(body fat / actual weight) x (100)
ex. ([30.28 / 200] x 100 = 15.14%)

your body fat would be 15.14%

Wow. Does that formula work on you? When I did it, I got 11%, with 14.86 body fat--I guess that's in pounds? That seems low. Or maybe it's for men? Is there a different formula for women?

[LaoTzuMindFu]

Okay, not so sure how accurate that process is to calculate your bf%. I just used it and it says Im at 18.63% body fat.

I know my body fat is pretty low, but I dont think its below 20% (yet). If it is WOO HOO!!! Now Im really curious. I work my butt off (running, lifting, martial arts, yoga, taichi, situps) every day and have dropped about 20 pounds within the past 5 months, but I really dont know if Im under 20%. Maybe. I can see my abs.

[mjohnson4381]

Haha...well, it sounds like you put in the work for a really good percentage. I would feel pretty great about 11%, but for me, I don't think that's a possibility. I think I'll call some gyms and see if I can get a water test or borrow a pair of those fat calipers. Thanks for your help!