There are a number of ways to measure your body fat. Most online calculators, however, can only estimate your body fat. One of only a few accurate ways to measure your body fat is to have a DEXA scan – a full body x-ray. These are expensive and usually not covered by insurance.
To get a good sense of your body fat you don’t have to resort to expensive tests or an aggressive personal trainer with fat calipers. You can simply measure your Body Mass Index (BMI) and measure your waist.
To measure your BMI you will need your gender, height and weight. BMI is based on the ratio of your weight to your height. To calculate your BMI click here [1]. If you have a BMI of less than 18.5 you are considered under-weight. If your BMI falls between 18.5 and 24.9 you are considered normal and if your BMI is 25 or above you are considered over-weight.
Measuring your waist will help you determine your belly fat – the kind of fat that is a leading indicator of potential heart disease. Measure your waist with an apparel tape measure slightly above your hips and level with your belly button. You are at greater risk of developing an obesity-related disease if you are a woman with a waist circumference greater than 35 inches.
Measuring your body fat, like weighing yourself, on a regular basis can help you stay on top of your overall health.