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In the health and fitness world there are many ways to assess someone’s body.
A few common assessments include BMI, waist circumference and body fat.
BMI, which stands for body mass index, which looks at the ratio of weight to height. BMI is quick and easy to calculate. If you divide your weight in kilograms by height in meters squared (kg/m2), you’ll know your BMI. An easier way is to use a handy online tool.
BMI=kg/m2
Waist circumference measures your waists (makes sense from the name) and from there compares it to the recommended inches for men and women. If waist circumference is greater than the set amounts, health risks increase.
Body fat is by far my favorite assessment. Instead of looking at weight, it looks at the fat underneath your skin. Body fat can be tested many different ways. The more common and accessible ways to have body fat tested include skin fold calipers, hand held body fat analyzers (it uses electrical currents), BOD POD and underwater weighing (called hydrostatic weighing).
Why body fat beats out BMI
Muscle weight more than fat. A person who exercises regularly and includes strength training may weigh more than someone who does not exercise, but their body fat percentage may be lower.
See the difference between these two people?
The person with more lean body mass has more muscles. Muscle burn more calories than fat does, plus they give you shape and strength. Without knowing, my guess is that the first lady weighs more than the second, which means her BMI would be higher if their height was similar.
I for one like to focus my efforts on getting stronger, faster and more agile, and not on the scale. Weight can be deceiving if you begin to increase your muscle mass. The more muscle you have, the higher your calorie burn during rest. I’d rather burn more calories while doing nothing, wouldn’t you?
Yikes, I can’t imagine having all that muscle. I think I prefer not being 100% muscle, and not having the ability to burn more calories all day….it just looks too weird to me. Maybe that’s rude to say? It is, I know, but I’m being honest.
I just read an article about a new devise that is supposed to help measure obesity in a more accurate and reliable way than BMI.
http://articles.latimes.com/2011/mar/03/news/la-heb-obesity-fat-030211
I agree, BMI is so outdated!! I really can’t believe we still use it. I don’t even calculate BMI anymore with my clients.
Interesting article! I’ve never heard of BAI before.. I wonder if we’ll begin to hear more about it in the news.
I agree with you, I wouldn’t want to be all muscle, I was just showing the difference 🙂
My friend refers to getting your body fat measured as “getting pinched”
How appropriate 😉
This post is so true though. Most professional athletes would be “overweight” on a BMI basis.
I like muscle too! I too focus on strength and being toned. 🙂
I LOVE this post! 😀
xoxo
Kathleen
Great post! I really want to get my body fat tested- I can’t seem to lose any weight, but I really feel like I am in much better shape:)
That’s how it seems to work for me. My weight stays constant (which I’m happy with), but I know my muscle mass changes – usually for the better. I think it’s fun to know the numbers. Usually gyms will do simple body fat testing with calipers for free.
So true! The number on the scale really doesn’t tell the whole picture…
Yup, they can be deceiving at times.
I like to have muscle because I see it as something that allows me to eat more cake… and I like that!
*kisses* HH
Haha very true!