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 fitness than body weight alone, as it distinguishes between fat mass and lean mass.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the following equation:

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 equation estimates body fat percentage based on BMI, adjusted for age and gender differences in body composition.

3. Importance of Body Fat Percentage

Details: Knowing your body fat percentage helps assess health risks, track fitness progress, and set appropriate weight management goals. High body fat increases risk for chronic diseases, while very low body fat can impair physiological functions.

4. Using the Calculator

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

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are healthy body fat percentage ranges?
A: For men: 6-24% (athletes 6-13%, fitness 14-17%, average 18-24%). For women: 16-30% (athletes 14-20%, fitness 21-24%, average 25-30%).

Q2: How accurate is this calculation method?
A: It provides a reasonable estimate but may be ±3-5% from actual values. More accurate methods include DEXA scans, hydrostatic weighing, or skinfold measurements.

Q3: Why does gender affect body fat percentage?
A: Women naturally carry more essential body fat (for reproductive functions) than men, typically about 10-13% compared to men's 2-5%.

Q4: Does this work for athletes?
A: It may underestimate body fat in very muscular individuals, as BMI doesn't distinguish between muscle and fat mass.

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