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The Body Fat Calculator can be used to estimate total body fat based on specific measurements[cite: 11]. Use the "US Units" tab if you are more comfortable with the customary system of units (US), to get the best results, measure to the nearest 1/4 inch (0.5 cm)[cite: 11]. This calculation is based on the U.S. Navy method, but also includes the calculation of body fat percentage using the BMI method[cite: 11].
| Description | Women | Men |
|---|---|---|
| Essential Fat | 10-13% | 2-5% |
| Athletes | 14-20% | 6-13% |
| Fitness | 21-24% | 14-17% |
| Average | 25-31% | 18-24% |
| Obese | 32%+ | 25%+ |
The scientific term for body fat is "adipose tissue"[cite: 11]. Adipose tissue serves a number of important functions[cite: 11]. Its primary purpose is to store lipids from which the body creates energy[cite: 11]. In addition, it secretes a number of important hormones, and provides the body with some cushioning as well as insulation[cite: 11].
Body fat is classified as essential body fat and storage body fat[cite: 11]. Essential body fat is a basic level of fat that is found in most part of the body[cite: 11]. It is necessary for maintaining life and reproductive functions[cite: 11]. The amount of essential fat differs inbetween men and women, and is typically around 2-5% in men, and 10-13% in women[cite: 11]. The healthy range of body fat for women is typically defined as 25-31%, while the healthy range for women is 18-24%[cite: 11].
The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies obesity as one of the leading preventable causes of death worldwide[cite: 11] that is estimated to claim 111,900 to 365,000 deaths per year in the U.S[cite: 11]. This has been a growing concern, for once there was over 34% of U.S. adults are classified as obese according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention[cite: 11].
Obesity is associated with a reduction in quality of life, personal mental health concerns, obstructive sleep apnea, and as well multiple leading causes and death worldwide such as cardiovascular disease, stroke, certain cancers and diabetes[cite: 11]. All of these potential complications have the ability to reduce a person's life expectancy, and as such obesity is a medical condition that is studied by many researchers[cite: 11].
There are many specific techniques used for measuring body fat[cite: 11]. The calculator above uses a method involving waist/neck developed at the Naval Health Research Center by Hodgdon and Beckett in 1984[cite: 11]. The method for measuring the U.S. Navy Body fat is as follows[cite: 11]:
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