Unit 7, Lesson 3

Hydrostatic Weighing (Underwater Weighing)

based on Archimedes' Principle and uses your body density to measure water displacement most accurate method of body fat measurement hard to find very expensive

BMI (Body Mass Index)

based on calculations using height and weight great tool for health risk assessment does not calculate body fat does not take into account where your weight comes from very cost efficient

What are the six ways to determine body composition?

height-weight charts, BMI or body mass index, girth measurements, skinfold calipers, bioelectrical impedance analysis or BIA, and hydrostatic weighing or underwater weighing

Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA)

includes body fat scales easy to use very reliable method of measuring body fat amount of water in your body, skin temperature, and recent physical activity can all adversely affect the results relatively inexpensive

Girth Measurements

involves using a measuring tape and calculations using complicated formulas and tables measures body fat, but accuracy can be off by four percent in either direction unreliable for those who are excessively overweight or underweight unreliable for athletes who train with weights very cost efficient

What are the best methods to determine body composition for accuracy and cost efficiency?

skinfold calipers and body fat scales

Height-Weight Charts

table that includes the average height-weight ranges for each body type least accurate method of calculating body fat does not take into account where your weight comes from only for use with adults very cost efficient

Skinfold Calipers

very reliable method of measuring body fat calipers are portable need an experienced examiner to get an accurate measurement difficult to self test cost varies depending on the type of calipers you purchase