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 body weight alone, as it distinguishes between fat mass 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 men and women naturally have different body fat distributions, 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 associated with obesity, track fitness progress, and set appropriate weight loss or muscle gain goals.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter your BMI (calculate it first if needed), your age in years, and select your gender. All values must be valid (BMI > 0, age between 1-120).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a healthy body fat percentage?
A: For men: 6-24% is healthy; For women: 16-30% is healthy. Athletes typically have lower percentages.

Q2: How accurate is this calculation method?
A: This is an estimation. For more precise measurements, consider methods like DEXA scans or hydrostatic weighing.

Q3: Should I measure body fat percentage when trying to lose weight?
A: Yes, it helps distinguish between fat loss and muscle loss, which is important for healthy weight management.

Q4: Why does gender affect body fat percentage?
A: Women naturally have higher essential body fat due to reproductive needs and hormonal differences.

Q5: How often should I check my body fat percentage?
A: Every 4-8 weeks is sufficient, as body fat changes slowly with proper diet and exercise.