1. What is Body Fat Percentage?

Body fat percentage is the total mass of fat divided by total body mass, multiplied by 100. It provides a more accurate measure of fitness than BMI alone, as it distinguishes between fat and lean body mass.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the following formula:

Where:

• \( BMI \) — Body Mass Index (weight in kg divided by height in meters squared)
• \( age \) — Age in years
• \( gender \) — 1 for male, 0 for female

Explanation: This formula accounts for the fact that women naturally have higher body fat percentages than men at the same BMI, and that body fat tends to increase with age.

3. Importance of Body Fat Percentage

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

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter your BMI (calculate separately if unknown), age in years, and select your gender. For accurate results, use a recently measured BMI value.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How accurate is this formula?
A: This provides a reasonable estimate but may not be as accurate as methods like DEXA scans or skinfold measurements.

Q2: What are healthy body fat percentages?
A: For men: 6-24%; For women: 16-30%. Athletes typically have lower percentages.

Q3: Why does gender affect the calculation?
A: Women naturally have higher essential body fat requirements for reproductive functions.

Q4: Can I use this if I'm very muscular?
A: This formula may overestimate body fat for highly muscular individuals as it doesn't account for lean mass.

Q5: How often should I measure body fat percentage?
A: Every 4-8 weeks is sufficient to track changes, as body fat changes slowly.