Hey Everyone,

I’m just getting started and am trying the different methods for gauging body fat listed on this site. One way John lists is linked to an automatic calculator (http://www.healthcentral.com/cooltools/CT_Fitness/bodyfat1.cfm) where you input age, weight, gender, and various girth measurements (hips, waist, forearm, wrist) to determine body density. I am creating an excel spreadsheet to track all of this information but can’t seem to find the formula that these calculations are based on. In my research, I found one that came close:

Body Density (DB) = (upper Arm) – Constant (Age) –(Hip) + (Wrist)
BF% = (495 ÷ BD) – 450

However, there is nothing in this formula to account for gender or weight and waist measurements. Where does this information fit in? Does anyone know what formula was used on that website? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Saroncer

PS Once I get the spreadsheet up and running, I’ll post it.

Well, I found the source of that fat testing method. The internet is great, but sometimes nothing beats the good old-fashioned public library system.

I have an exercise physiology textbook that has a bunch of equations used for body density calculations but there is 7 different ones depending on if you are black, hispanic, white, athletic, anorexic, male, or female (combinations of those obviously)...don't feel like typing them all up but I can type up one or two if you specify which