1. What is Body Fat Percentage?

Body fat percentage is the proportion of fat in your body compared to your total body weight. It's a more accurate indicator of health than weight alone, as it distinguishes between fat mass and lean mass.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the following formula:

Where:

• \( BMI \) — Body Mass Index (kg/m²)
• \( age \) — Age in years

Explanation: This formula estimates body fat percentage based on BMI and age, with different constants for men and women to account for physiological differences in body composition.

3. Importance of Body Fat Measurement

Details: Knowing your body fat percentage helps assess health risks, track fitness progress, and set appropriate weight management goals. High body fat is associated with increased risk of chronic diseases.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter your BMI (calculated from height and weight), age in years, and select your gender. For accurate results, measure your weight in the morning before eating.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a healthy body fat percentage?
A: For women: 21-33% (healthy), for men: 8-19% (healthy). Athletes typically have lower percentages.

Q2: How accurate is this formula?
A: It provides a reasonable estimate but may be ±3-5% of actual measurements like DEXA scans or hydrostatic weighing.

Q3: Why different formulas for men and women?
A: Women naturally carry more essential body fat (for reproductive functions) than men.

Q4: Can I use this if I'm very muscular?
A: This formula may overestimate body fat for very muscular individuals as BMI doesn't distinguish muscle from fat.

Q5: How often should I measure body fat?
A: Monthly measurements are sufficient to track trends, as daily fluctuations are normal.