How does one determine lean body weight?

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In order to properly figure out the amount of protein/fats/carbs, the ratio given often refers to "x grams per pound of lean body weight". What are people using to determine lean body weight?

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  • AnvilHead
    AnvilHead Posts: 18,344 Member
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    There are a lot of different ways to determine body fat percentage, with varying degrees of accuracy: Hydrostatic weighing ("dunk tank"), DEXA Scan, BodPod, skinfold calipers, anthropometric measurements (using a tape measure and inputting them into various bodyfat calculators on the 'web), or Bioelectic Impedance Analysis (scales or handheld devices). I use skinfold calipers, which can be purchased inexpensively at a health/nutrition store or online. Once you have your bodyfat percentage, you subtract it from 100%, and that number is your percentage of lean body mass. Multiply the percentage by your actual weight and you have your LBM in pounds.

    Example: A person weighs 200 lbs. and determines that their bodyfat percentage is 20%; therefore, their LBM is 80% of their weight (100% - 20% = 80%). 200 lbs. x .80 = 160 lbs. This person has 160 lbs. of lean body mass and therefore would aim for 160g of protein per day.