1. What is Body Fat Percentage?

Body fat percentage is the proportion of fat to total body weight. Unlike BMI which only considers weight and height, body fat percentage directly measures fat mass, providing a more accurate assessment of body composition.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the following formula:

Where:

• \( BMI \) — Body Mass Index (kg/m²)
• \( Age \) — Age in years
• \( Gender\ Factor \) — 1 for male, 0 for female

Explanation: This formula estimates body fat percentage based on BMI, age, and gender without requiring direct body measurements.

3. Importance of Body Fat Measurement

Details: Knowing your body fat percentage helps assess health risks better than BMI alone, as it distinguishes between fat mass and lean mass.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter your BMI (calculate as weight in kg divided by height in meters squared), age in years, and select your gender. All values must be valid (BMI between 10-50, age between 18-100).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How accurate is this method?
A: This provides a reasonable estimate (±3-5%) but is less accurate than skinfold measurements or DEXA scans.

Q2: What are healthy body fat ranges?
A: For men: 8-19% (athletic), 20-25% (healthy), >25% (overweight). For women: 21-28% (athletic), 29-35% (healthy), >35% (overweight).

Q3: Why does age affect body fat percentage?
A: Metabolism slows with age, and people tend to lose muscle mass while gaining fat, even with stable weight.

Q4: Can athletes get accurate results?
A: This method may overestimate body fat for muscular athletes, as BMI doesn't distinguish muscle from fat.

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