Differece between BMI and body fat percentage?

Question

I know BMI is not the only indicator of ones health. Body fat percentage is also very important. Is there a way one can find out how much body fat percentage someone has? Do we have to go to a professional?

Answer 1

Actually, proper use of hand calipers is pretty accurate.  You can get a good idea from that and a good website like this:

http://www.linear-software.com/online.ht...

The most accurate means available is hydrostatic testing, or total water immersion.  However, it's more expensive and harder to find.  Hand calipers are also pretty accurate and easy to administer, and a pair of calipers are really cheap.  You can also get testing done in some gyms, if the staff knows what they're doing.  Impedence scales and BMI are bunk.

Answer 2

The difference is bmi only takes into account someones weight and height, so they could have alot of muscle and be considered obese.

There is a way you can do it at home, its the pinch an inch method.

http://www.annecollins.com/body-fat-calc...

That website gives all th options.

Answer 3

bf% measures wat % of ur body is fat. having a veery high % is not healthy, but its not a true indicator of health. for instance i have a 5% bf, and you would think that is bad, but its good 2 have a low bf, but not too low. bmi measure height to weight and gives a number based on it. its more of an indication of healthy then bf%.

Answer 4

BMI is not even a remotely good indicator of health. I scratch my head wondering how it was even adapted in the first place. You have to get your bodyfat tested by a professional, yes. There are health clinics that do it for free or low cost. Once per yer, I offer it at my gym for free to anyone that comes in.

Answer 5

to figure out your body fat percentage go to this site:

http://www.healthstatus.com/calculate/bf...

it's not as acurate as going to a proffessional but it works.