Measurement of Fat% in Human being

Dr. Anup Adhikari

International Instructor in Kinanthropometry
Level 3 Kinanthropometrist
and
Criterion Photoscopic Somatotype Rater ( ISAK)
 FAT
Essential fat and Non-essential fat
 Essential fat - Crucial for normal body
functioning
– 3–5% of total body weight in males
– 8–12% of total body weight in females

 Nonessential fat - Adipose tissue

 8-12 % for Men
 12-15 % for Female

Chapter 6 2
Typical Body Composition

Chapter 6 3
 Equation for Fat % Calculation

For body Fat %, equation derived by Brozek et al ( 1963)

or
Siri (1956) are generally used

 Fat%= (( 4.57 / Body Density )-4.142) X 100

 Fat % = (495/Body Density) - 450

Chapter 6 4
 FORMULA USED FOR PREDICTION OF BODY DENSITY
(NON-INVASIVE)

Durnin and Womersley ( 1974) :

Males:
• Body Density= 1.1620-0.0630 log ( biceps + triceps + Subscapular +Supraspinale ) for 17-19yrs

• Body Density= 1.1631-0.0632 log ( biceps + triceps + Subscapular +Supraspinale ) for 20-29yrs

• Body Density= 1.1422-0.0544 log ( biceps + triceps + Subscapular +Supraspinale ) for 30-39 yrs

• Body Density= 1.1620-0.0700 log ( biceps + triceps + Subscapular +Supraspinale ) for 40-49yrs

• Body Density= 1.1712-0.0779 log ( biceps + triceps + Subscapular +Supraspinale ) for 50 yrs and
above

Chapter 6 5
 Female:

• Body Density= 1.1549-0.0678 log ( biceps + triceps + Subscapular +Supraspinale ) for 16-19 yr

• Body Density= 1.1599-0.0717 log ( biceps + triceps + Subscapular +Supraspinale ) for 20-29 yr

• Body Density= 1.1423-0.0632 log ( biceps + triceps + Subscapular +Supraspinale ) for 30-39 yr

• Body Density= 1.133- 0.0612 log ( biceps + triceps + Subscapular +Supraspinale ) for 40-49 yr

• Body Density= 1.1399-0.0645 log ( biceps + triceps + Subscapular +Supraspinale ) for 50 yr and
above

Chapter 6 6
 Calculation of Target
Body Weight

It is often important to help subjects to determine a

healthy and reasonable weight.

Calculating target body weight requires knowledge of

current body weight, %BF, and desired %BF.

Chapter 6 7
Formula for Calculating
Target Body Weight

FFM
Target body weight =
1– ( )
Desired %BF
100

Chapter 6 8
 DIFFERENT METHODS FOR BODY COMPOSITION
MEASUREMENT

Following are some methods used for body composition:

1. Isotope dilution technique : Stable isotopes ( deuterium oxide- (2H2O) , or
oxygen –18 ( O18 ) ) are used to estimate the size of various components of the
body using classic dilution principle.
2. Bioelectric methods : Using the electrical properties of the water and electrolytes
in the body , the fat free mass (FFM) can be estimated.
3. Anthropometry Methods: By measuring anthropometrical parameters of the
body, body composition can be estimated.
4. Hydrodensiometry: Measuring the underwater weighing, body composition can
be estimated.
5. Potassium –40 method: Isotope potassium ( 40K) is used in this method.
6. Absorptiometry methods: Dual photon absorption ( DPA) and dual energy X-
ray absorption ( DXA) are techniques that measure the three compartments of the
body: the bone mass, lean body mass and fat mass. Due to their varying
densities, bone, lean tissues, and fat attenuate energy beam differently.

Chapter 6 9
 Anthropometry methods :
Skinfold Techniques

Because ,
there is a correlation between subcutaneous fat and
total body fatness, the thickness of skinfolds can be
used to estimate %BF.

The accuracy is typically within 4% of hydrostatic

weighing.

Chapter 6 10
 Skinfolds
• Measuring subcutaneous
fat by taking a fold of skin

• Measuring 2 layers of skin

and the fat
–Type of calipers used Harpenden Caliper
–Technique of tester
–condition of subject and Slimguide
–Equation used

• All contribute to error

• Attempt to minimise error

Chapter 6 11
Anatomy of a skinfold

Chapter 6 12
 SITES TO BE MEASURED FOR BODY FAT %

Base
Weight (kg)
Skinfold Thickness :
• Triceps (mm)
• Subscapular (mm)
• Supraspinale (mm)
• Calf (mm)

Chapter 6 13
Body Mass Index ( BMI )
Body Mass Index (BMI)
Criteria used to classify adequacy of weight for height
BMI = wt (kg) / ht(m)2
Weight (in kilograms) divided by squared height (in
meters)

•Below 18.5 kg/m2 = underweight

•18.5-24.9 kg/m2 = normal weight For General population only
•25-29.9 kg/m2 = overweight
•More than 30 kg/m2 = obesity
OTHER METHODS TO MEASURE BODY FAT %
 Other Methods

• Medical- Cat-scan, MRI, DEXA,

underwater weighing, bodpod
• All accurate, but expensive & not
portable

Chapter 6 17
Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA)
Chapter 6 18
Under water weighing method to calculate
body density to derive body fat %

Chapter 6 19
 REMEMBER AND DON’T BE CONFUSED

Whatever method you choose,

use it correctly
Be aware of error,
do what you can to reduce it

Be aware we are in a field where the

science is growing rapidly – things
change

Be open to new ideas and methods

Use the right tool for the right job
Chapter 6 20
 Thanks

International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry

(ISAK)
www.isakonline.com