BF% from Body Density Measurements

Many body composition equations derive their measure of percent body fat from first
determining body density. Skinfold measures are used to calculate density using
these Body Density Formula, such as by Jackson !ollock, Sloan and Durnin and
"omersley. #nce body density is determined, percent bodyfat $%BF& can be calculated
using the Siri 'quation(
% Body Fat = (495 / Body Density) 450
Ratings for % Body Fat Levels
)ere is a table of ratings of bodyfat % for athletes and the general population. *his is
+ust a general guideline , particular sports may have higher or lo-er desirable body fat
levels.
general population athletes
males females males females
lean < 12 < 17 < 7 < 12
acceptable 12 - 21 17 - 28 7 - 15 12 - 25
moderately overweight 21 - 26 28 - 33
overweight > 26 > 33 > 15 > 25
Related Pages
Body Density . /.0110230 , 0.0004501 $65& 7 0.0000058 $65&
5
, 0.00050/2 $69& ,
0.003823 $6:& 7 0.0/4348 $63&. "here 65 . sum of
the chest, abdomen and thighskinfolds in mm, 69 . age in years, 6: . -aist
circumference in cm, and 63 . forearm circumference in cm.
3-Site Skinfold Equation
Body Density . /./0194 , $0.0004582 ; sum of chest, abdomen and thigh skinfolds in
mm & 7 $0.00000/8 ; square of the sum of chest, abdomen and thigh& , $0.000532: ;
age&
(reference: Jackson, A! " #o$$ock, %& ('9()), *ased on a sa+,$e a-ed ')./')
-Site Skinfold Equation
Body Density . $0.51544 ; sum of skinfolds& < $0.0003 ; square of the sum of skinfolds&
7 $0./34:3 ; age& < 3.28922, -here the skinfold sites $measured in mm&
are abdominal,triceps, thigh and suprailiac
(reference: Jackson A !, #o$$ock, % ('9)5) #ractica$ assess+ent of *ody co+,osition #0ysician !,ort %ed '1:
(/.90)
!-Site Skinfold Equation
Body Density . /.//5 , $0.000:9:11 ; sum of skinfolds& 7 $0.00000033 ; square of the
sum of skinfold sites& , $0.00054458 ; age&, -here the skinfold sites $measured in mm&
are( =hest, >;illa, *ricep, Subscapular, >bdominal, Suprailiac and *high
(reference: Jackson, A! " #o$$ock, %& ('9()), *ased on a sa+,$e a-ed ')./')
Females
Equation t"at in#ludes girt" measurements
Body Density . /. / :20515 , 0.0001928 $69& 7 0.0000090 $69&
5
, 0.000//38 $6:& ,
0.0003491 $63&, "here( 69 . sum of triceps, thigh and suprailiac skinfolds, in mm, 6: .
age in years and 63 . gluteal circumference in cm.
3-Site Skinfold Equation
Body Density . /.011:15/ , $0.0001151 ; sum of triceps, thigh and suprailiac skinfolds&
7 $0.0000059 ; square of the sum of triceps, thigh and suprailiac skinfolds& , $0.000/915
; age in years&
(reference: Jackson, et a$ ('9)0), *ased on a sa+,$e a-ed ').55)
-Site Skinfold Equation
Body Density . $0.51881 ; sum of skinfolds& < $0.000:9 ; square of the sum of skinfolds&
7 $0.05189 ; age& 7 /.:025, -here the skinfold sites $measured in mm&
areabdominal, triceps, thigh and suprailiac
!-Site Skinfold Equation
Body Density . /.012 , $0.000:812/ ; sum of skinfolds& 7 $0.00000038 ; square of the
sum of skinfold sites& , $0.000/5454 ; age&, -here the skinfold sites $measured in mm&
are( =hest, >;illa, *ricep, Subscapular, >bdominal, Suprailiac and *high
(reference: Jackson, A! " #o$$ock, %& ('9()), *ased on a sa+,$e a-ed ')./')
Body Fat Equations: Parillo Method
*he !arillo =aliper Method for calculating percent body fat is a simple method using nine
skinfold site measurements. *his is a very basic general formula -ith questionable
accuracy, though it?s very easy to perform. *his formula does not take into account any
differences bet-een males and females. See more equations for measuring body fat
using skinfold measures.
Equation
% Body Fat = (!2+ of 9 sites 3 4() di5ided *y *ody6ei-0t $lbs&
where sum of skinfold sites is in mm, body weight in lbs. he skinfold sites
!re" =hest,>bdominal, *high, Bicep, *ricep, Subscapular, Suprailiac, @o-er Back, =alf
Body Fat Equations: Yuhasz
hese e#u!tions b!sed on the rese!r$h by %uh!s& gi'e ! '!lue for body f!t (er$ent from
skinfold test results. )ee more equations for measuring body fat using skinfold
measures.%uh!s& *#u!tions
Males $t%o equations "ave &een found'
% Body Fat . $0./03/ ; sum
of triceps, subscapular, supraspinale, abdominal, thigh, calf& 7 5.343, based on a
sample of college students.
% Body Fat . $0.012 ; sum
of chest, triceps, subscapular, suprailiac, abdominal, thigh& 7 9.8:, as used in
the A)@ draft testing.
Females
% Body Fat . $0./3:4 ; sum
of triceps, subscapular, supraspinale, abdominal, thigh, calf& 7 9.340, based on a
sample of college students.