Body fat percentage formula

Robertlawnicki
Robertlawnicki Posts: 25 Member
edited October 6 in Health and Weight Loss
My wife checked her body fat % using the zone calculator, it came up with 18% body fat.

When we used 4 other type formulas we came up with 33%, 30.4%, 28.3% and 26.9%.

we used the Deurenberg 1&2 formula, the Gallagher formula, and the Jackson Pollock formula.

Deurenberg formula 1 (1.20 x BMI) + (0.23 x Age) - (10.8 x Gender) - 5.4 her results 33.0%

Deurenberg formula 2 (1.29 x BMI) + (0.2 x Age) - (11.3 x Gender) - 8 her results 30.4%

Gallagher formula (1.46 x BMI) + (0.14 x Age) - (11.6 x Gender) - 10 her results 28.3%

Jackson Pollock formula (1.61 x BMI) + (0.13 x Age) - (12.2 x Gender) - 13.9 her results 26.9%

Gender 1 for male 0 for female



Which is the correct formula or is there another method we should use



Bob

Replies

  • dawnemjh
    dawnemjh Posts: 1,465 Member
    Great question!!

    Does she have calipers to check BF%????
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    I imagine for starters, you can toss out any that go by her BMI. BMI has nothing at all to do with body fat. It's just based on your height to weight ratio. So those formulas would go by an average percentage based on her age. And if she's very fit and has lower body fat, it wouldn't be accurate at all.

    http://www.leighpeele.com/body-fat-pictures-and-percentages - scroll down for female images and see where she compares.
  • Robertlawnicki
    Robertlawnicki Posts: 25 Member
    We do not have calipers.
  • BobbyClerici
    BobbyClerici Posts: 813 Member
    All of that is just a bunch of poppycock.
    Just pick one definitive measurement and stick with it.

    I use this:
    http://www.scientificpsychic.com/fitness/diet.html

    It's free and spot on.
    My scale also had a bodyfat tool, but it fluctuates 10 points. Measurements don't lie.
  • Robertlawnicki
    Robertlawnicki Posts: 25 Member
    My wife is in great condition she compares to the 15% image vs the formula showing 25%. How did they calculate the 15%
  • Robertlawnicki
    Robertlawnicki Posts: 25 Member
    I went to the location you use and I cannot find the formula. I am sure that I am not looking in the correct spot.

    Bob
  • RonSwanson66
    RonSwanson66 Posts: 1,150 Member

    I use this:
    http://www.scientificpsychic.com/fitness/diet.html

    It's free and spot on.

    What objective measurement leads you to believe it's "spot on"?
    http://www.leighpeele.com/body-fat-pictures-and-percentages - scroll down for female images and see where she compares.

    This would be your best bet.
  • wellbert
    wellbert Posts: 3,924 Member
    There are accurate tests, but they involve getting dunked. Pick one that's easy to do and just use it to compare against the same test for future results.
  • kyle4jem
    kyle4jem Posts: 1,400 Member
    All of that is just a bunch of poppycock.
    Just pick one definitive measurement and stick with it.

    I use this:
    http://www.scientificpsychic.com/fitness/diet.html

    It's free and spot on.
    My scale also had a bodyfat tool, but it fluctuates 10 points. Measurements don't lie.
    I just tried this and it gave me a BF% value of 31.7%. I have a set of WW body analyser scales that I use for my weigh-in and they have me at 34.2% as per last weigh-in.

    I also have a spreadsheet with my TDEE plotted for my various weights in 5kg increments and I now have my MFP goals setup to maintenance calories for my goal weight of 65kg (143lbs)
  • MJ7910
    MJ7910 Posts: 1,280 Member
    best bet is a dexa or bod pod measurement. some people are really skilled at measuring with calipers. i'd try to find a professional who can tell you, to be completely honest. those online calculators can be way off. scales too.
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