The two most common methods used are skin fold measurement and bioelectrical impedence analysis. Much of the time and often when it really counts the bmi measurement may actually overestimate or. So it may miss people who look thin. Dexa or dxa stands for dual emission x ray absorptiometry. Its usually used for bone density testing but its also considered one of the most accurate ways to measure body fat 2a dexa scan is like getting a full body x ray so it does deliver a small degree of radiation. In skin fold measurement a trained specialist uses calipers.

Often used by fitness professionals calipers are used to literally pinch your skin folds usually around the. No body fat test be it body fat percentage scales dexa or skinfold calipers can accurately measure how much fat you have. Here is an example of a 7 site skinfold assessment. When we asked qardio. Some methods have high error rates. Measuring your waistline can help complement your body fat scale results.

Bmi body mass index which is based on the height and weight of a person is an inaccurate measure of body fat content and does not take into account muscle mass bone density overall body. As most of us fitness focused folks have likely heard bmi is far from a perfect measurement. A 2012 study in the international journal of obesity found that 29 of people who were normal weight actually had a body fat percentage in the obese range. Other ways to measure body fat waist measurements. Although this method is highly accurate you have to be dead in order for it to happen. The only way to measure your body fat is to have it stripped out placed on a scale and weighed.

Summary estimating body fat percentage with skinfold calipers is. Body mass index is the standard metric for determining who is normal weight overweight and obese but bmi is not an accurate measure of fat and doesnt explain the causes of poor health. Dual energy x ray absorptiometry dexa scans. Measurement errors can range from 355 body fat 3. Five of the body fat scales read weight accurately but one the qardio qardiobase which happened to be one of the priciest routinely overestimated weight by 6 to 10 pounds. The flat belly cheat sheet.

Gallery of Inaccurate Body Fat Measurement