Body Fat Percentage

misskatibear
misskatibear Posts: 158 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Hey!

So. I have a question about Body Fat %
I got myself weighed at a local pharmacy that also records your body fat %
My jaw dropped a bit when it said I had a body fat % of 34.8% UGH!

But I've also used a online calculator by using my measurements, and it says my BF% is 26.42% (I know it's bad :( )

I just wondered which is more accurate, because between the two numbers is quite a large gap!

Thanks in advance.
Either way they are both bad for me, especially since I'm short every lb of fat shows :(

Replies

  • SuperstarDJ
    SuperstarDJ Posts: 443 Member
    I have an Omron body fat monitor and it advises that you only check it first thing in the morning or at least 2 hours after eating/drinking as this will affect the reading. I'm wondering if that had anything to do with the reading in the pharmacy. They aren't very accurate anyway so I wouldn't get caught up in the number too much. I think taking measurements is the best for gauging how you're doing to be honest.
  • Martucha123
    Martucha123 Posts: 1,089 Member
    both very inaccurate,
    but I'd say tape is better than scale, especially for women
  • misskatibear
    misskatibear Posts: 158 Member
    I have an Omron body fat monitor and it advises that you only check it first thing in the morning or at least 2 hours after eating/drinking as this will affect the reading. I'm wondering if that had anything to do with the reading in the pharmacy. They aren't very accurate anyway so I wouldn't get caught up in the number too much. I think taking measurements is the best for gauging how you're doing to be honest.

    I walked to the pharmacy early in the morning (9am) and hadn't eaten breakfast - so I'm unsure. I can never seem to get an accurate reading for anything anywhere lol, damnit!
    both very inaccurate,
    but I'd say tape is better than scale, especially for women
    Both as in, the internet calculation is wrong with my measurements too? I used a tape measure, got all my information, and input it to a calculator online. Just curious how else I'd calculate my body fat with the tape measure? I'm a bit unsure how to do that! :)
  • dlwyatt82
    dlwyatt82 Posts: 1,077 Member
    Measuring BF% is pretty inaccurate almost no matter what you do. From what I've read, the two most reliable methods are the displacement tests (either submerging yourself in water, or a newer method using air, which I think was called the "Bod Pod"?). The other methods (calculators based on measurements, electrical devices, calipers, etc) are all going to be off by some amount based on your body type and the person / device used to take the measurement. In some cases, ridiculously off.
  • Garethkk
    Garethkk Posts: 21
    Displacement is allegedly the best way, calipers also do a good job and you can now get digital calipers too. I use fancy scales... but as far as I'm concerned the trick is to use the same method each time. I'm not sure how accurate my scales are, they could be off by 5% or 10%, but if I see an improvement each time I use them, then I know that I have made progress by keeping the method of measurement consistent (albeit the possibility of it being inaccurate).
  • MissTomGettingThin
    MissTomGettingThin Posts: 776 Member
    Displacement is allegedly the best way, calipers also do a good job and you can now get digital calipers too. I use fancy scales... but as far as I'm concerned the trick is to use the same method each time. I'm not sure how accurate my scales are, they could be off by 5% or 10%, but if I see an improvement each time I use them, then I know that I have made progress by keeping the method of measurement consistent (albeit the possibility of it being inaccurate).

    I recently used the scale at the gym that measure bodyfat.
    It was after a workout and a shower and was mid day so I was expecting it to be off anyway.

    But, I have decided to ditch my home scale and use the gym one at the same time every few weeks, always after a workout and a shower to duplicate things as best I can (I know this is not scientific) but at least I'll know of changes based on the same scale, even if they numbers are not right.
  • misskatibear
    misskatibear Posts: 158 Member
    Thanks Gareth! I had no idea what calipers were until I looked them up and realised what they were, actually never knew the name of them. I was expecting them to be expensive, but quite surprised at how cheap the digital ones are. That's something I could look into getting when I have a bit of spare money.

    And yeah you're right doesn't really matter how accurate it is as long as you see the numbers going down!
  • Hssh1988
    Hssh1988 Posts: 48 Member
    I thought to do it accurately they need to put you in a pool- otherwise it's just making assumptions about your frame and composition based on your height, rather than any accurate observation. Remember that breasts are mostly composed of fat- that's got to be at least 15% right there- mine weigh 1/2 a stone last time I checked!
  • rlmadrid
    rlmadrid Posts: 694 Member
    I have a scale that measures body fat % and hydration. I don't really give it too much credit, but I use it more as a progress report. For example, I've dropped from 24.9% to 23.8%. The numbers may not be accurate, but the progress still motivates me.
  • tempest501
    tempest501 Posts: 329 Member
    Any of the ones that measure your bf via an electric current are not to accurate really. The most accurate type you can get done is in a Pod that uses air pressure to do it (really expensive). The 2nd best way and rather cheap also is to use skin calipers, you can even get digital ones now for around 20 pound. I have some Warrior Digital ones and they are great. Non Digital are even cheaper and can just use formula to work it out.

    Hope that helps.
  • Wetterdew
    Wetterdew Posts: 142 Member
    Misskatibear, tools that are made to measure body fat are often off significantly. I find that it's best to know what people look like at various body fat percentages instead.

    You are definitely above 30%. It's generally hard to place somebody exactly when they are 30+, but the good news is that fat drops off more easily at that BF % than at the lower ones. So it shouldn't be too hard to get down to a healthier range.

    Here is a picture to use for help:

    http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hz0zKw37yQU/T3M79TUrKnI/AAAAAAAAAq4/JTc-JDr1WfQ/s640/body-fat-levels-women21.jpg

Categories