Question about body fat %

Mommy4812
Mommy4812 Posts: 649 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
On Fat2fitradio I calculated my body fat % and it says that it's 27.8 which is in a healthy range of body fat? How is that possible when I know I am obese? It also says that I have 55.1lbs. of fat on my body so how is my body fat % "healthy" ??
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Replies

  • Chief_Rocka
    Chief_Rocka Posts: 4,710 Member
    The calculation is wrong. Judging by your pictures, you're 35-40
  • Mokey41
    Mokey41 Posts: 5,769 Member
    I think you made a mistake in the calculations somewhere.
  • Hadabetter
    Hadabetter Posts: 942 Member
    If you have 55.1 lbs and you are at 27% body fat, you must weigh ~198. You must be tall, right?
  • Mommy4812
    Mommy4812 Posts: 649 Member
    I'm only 5'2, but am at 198lbs right now...5'2 in inches is 62 right?
  • Hadabetter
    Hadabetter Posts: 942 Member
    What measurements did you input for wt, waste, hips, wrist, forearm?
  • astrampe
    astrampe Posts: 2,169 Member
    Got to be a wrong calculation - I'm 5'8 and 177 and according to that calculator 26.8% ...
  • Hadabetter
    Hadabetter Posts: 942 Member
    I'm only 5'2, but am at 198lbs right now...5'2 in inches is 62 right?
    BTW, height isn't a part of the Fat2Fit calc.

    This one seems to give pretty good numbers.
    http://www.fat2fitradio.com/tools/mbf/
  • Mommy4812
    Mommy4812 Posts: 649 Member
    Yes,all of those measurements Here I'll post them.
    Weight:198lbs.
    Height:5'2
    Waist:42.5
    Hips:46
    Thighs:27
    Calves:17
    Wrist:6.5
    Forearm:11.5
  • Hadabetter
    Hadabetter Posts: 942 Member
    Yes,all of those measurements Here I'll post them.
    Weight:198lbs.
    Height:5'2
    Waist:42.5
    Hips:46
    Thighs:27
    Calves:17
    Wrist:6.5
    Forearm:11.5
    The military calc gives you 27.8%, just like you said.
  • Mommy4812
    Mommy4812 Posts: 649 Member
    Yeah, but it's part of their BMR so I just wanted to make sure I put EVERYTHING in right...so that's why I was asking you that. :happy:
  • Hadabetter
    Hadabetter Posts: 942 Member
    Yes,all of those measurements Here I'll post them.
    Weight:198lbs.
    Height:5'2
    Waist:42.5
    Hips:46
    Thighs:27
    Calves:17
    Wrist:6.5
    Forearm:11.5
    Fat2Fit says 33.2%
  • Mommy4812
    Mommy4812 Posts: 649 Member
    This is not making any sense to me...
  • Hadabetter
    Hadabetter Posts: 942 Member
    So about a 30% average. Yes, you could stand to lose some weight, but you already knew that.
  • Mommy4812
    Mommy4812 Posts: 649 Member
    lol, I'm still getting 27.8 with theirs?? I'm sooo confused.
  • Hadabetter
    Hadabetter Posts: 942 Member
    This is not making any sense to me...
    All these methods are just estimates, base on some sort of "average" person. Don't sweat over the number...go by when you feel good about yourself.

    If you need a number to plug into some other calc, use an average of 30%.
  • Mommy4812
    Mommy4812 Posts: 649 Member
    That still only puts me at overweight though...hmm...
  • Hadabetter
    Hadabetter Posts: 942 Member
    lol, I'm still getting 27.8 with theirs?? I'm sooo confused.
    You're right, I made a mistake. 27.8%
  • Mommy4812
    Mommy4812 Posts: 649 Member
    Alot of people swear by Fat2fit calculators...but I suppose your right. Thanks for helping me try to figure this out.:ohwell:
  • Karoger87
    Karoger87 Posts: 56 Member
    I have a scale that tells me I'm about 32 %
  • Hadabetter
    Hadabetter Posts: 942 Member
    That still only puts me at overweight though...hmm...
    Is that a good thing?
  • Pickypeggy
    Pickypeggy Posts: 33
    I just did mine.

    Thanks for checking your body fat percentage here on Fat 2 Fit Radio. If you're not already subscribed to Fat 2 Fit Radio, consider doing so today. Please visit the Subscribe page to get the podcast delivered automatically to your iTunes, Juice, e-mail inbox or the podcatcher of your choice for FREE.

    The formula below will not calculate your exact body fat percentage. This calculation should give you a consistent measurement you can use as a guideline and determine if you're losing body fat and/or muscle.

    Here's the information that you entered:

    Sex: female
    Weight: 212 pounds
    Wrist: 7 inches
    Waist: 44 inches
    Hip: 45.5 inches
    Forearm: 13 inches
    Based on this information, you have a lean body mass of 153.8 pounds. Your lean body mass includes everything in your body that's not fat. Now that we know your lean body mass, let's find out how much fat you're carrying around. We'll subtract your lean body mass from your weight and find you currently have 58.2 pounds of fat on your body.

    Your body fat percentage is 27.5%.
  • GauchoMark
    GauchoMark Posts: 1,804 Member
    are you sure you measured in the right spots? Also, you could just have a slightly larger frame and maybe carrying around a little more muscle than most women.

    Like has already been stated, it is all just an estimation anyways. Once it spits out that "magic" number, it is still an estimate and you are going to need to adjust it based on your actual results.
  • christy_frank
    christy_frank Posts: 680 Member
    I would not be worrying about your exact BF% right now. Usually it is more important for people who are body building and are trying to increase their muscle mass and decrease their BF% where weight really is not a good measurement anymore. Right now I would focus on your weight.
  • gobraves47
    gobraves47 Posts: 213 Member
    I got about 52% when I put your numbers in the military body fat % calculator. I guessed on your neck size. I also would get crazy low #s when I used other calculators (I weighed 280ish and was getting 28% bf?!?) and common sense told me the mbf one is more accurate.
  • cyberblonde
    cyberblonde Posts: 100 Member
    I do not agree with that military body fat calulator.

    I have been my current size twice, once now when I am fit, and once 10 years ago when I was skinny but with a high body fat that jiggled everywhere. The military body fat one would have out me both times at 20% and there is no way that it correct, I do not even believe that it is correct now! My gym said I was 33% BF 10 years ago and it was probably right as I had very little muscle tone. I therefore do not believe that you are only 28% BF sorry.
  • alienrite
    alienrite Posts: 314 Member
    Determining an accurate body fat% is very difficult without getting a body fat scan (DEXA scan) or a full body displacement measurement (Bodpod). I spent a long time trying to wrap my mind around it. The multipoint calculators might be the best calculation but I found that there are pictures of women or men at different body fat % and by comparing how you look and carry weight to how they look is a pretty good way of assessing you body fat %. The important thing is track your own measurements on a regular basis.
  • stonel94
    stonel94 Posts: 550 Member
    Guys calculators are not accurate. If that's the only way you have to use, go and try a ton of different calculators that use all different measurements (hips, waist, neck, thigh, wrist, etc.) and then take the average of those. It would be better to go get it actually tested by a doctor
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,992 Member
    Here's an approximate way to tell: Can you see your navel when you look down? Chances are that your body fat is higher than normal if you can't.


    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness industry for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • Mokey41
    Mokey41 Posts: 5,769 Member
    Those online calculators are not even close for me. I've had my BF% measured hydrostatically at slightly under 19% but if you input my stats into that calculator you get 22.4%. FWIW, I'm 5'2" and 115 lbs so 27% for the OP doesn't sound even close.
  • Mommy4812
    Mommy4812 Posts: 649 Member
    Thanks guys...you have all helped me feel better about why it may not seem right to me! Thanks! I appreciate it!

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