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USEFUL INFORMATION
BODY FAT
Hidden Fat Not Revealed by BMI
Although BMI calculates a simple obesity
level, there is also hidden fat that not
revealed by a BMI designation.
Although both cases are for people of
similar height and weight, and their BMI
designation are normal, the body fat
percentage for case B is high.
That is, although case B has normal body
weight, the actual fat level is high, revealing
the “hidden fat.” This hidden fat may lead
to increased susceptibility to common
diseases, even though the BMI designation
is normal.
Body fat percentage classification
7
CaseA CaseB
F
34
5' 7 7/8"
144.0 lb
22.0
(Normal)
Gender
Age
Height
Weight
BMI
Body fat percentage
F
34
5' 7 1/2"
141.0 lb
21.8
(Normal)
27.2%
Normal
34.5%
High
Examples of hidden fat
When most people think of body fat, they have a
negative image of it. However, body fat serves a
vital role in storing energy, protecting internal
or
gans, etc
.
While too m
uch body fat may be
unhealthy, having too little may also be unhealthy.
The distribution of body fat in men and women is
dif
ferent, so the basis of classifying the body fat
per
centage for males is different than for females.
BODY FAT PERCENTAGE
Let’s look at an example
Example of display:
• Body Fat Percentage:
29.3 %
• Body Fat Percentage Classification: 0
BODY FAT PERCENTAGE
CLASSIFICATION
Interpreting the Body Fat Percentage Result
Based on NIH/WHO guidelines f
or BMI
Based on Gallagher et al., American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 72, Sept. 2000
Female
Male
Age
20-39
40-59
60-79
20-39
40-59
60-79
Low (–)
< 21.0
< 23.0
< 24.0
< 8.0
< 11.0
<
13.0
Normal
(0)
21.0 - 32.9
23.0 - 33.9
24.0 - 35.9
8.0 - 19.9
11.0 - 21.9
13.0 - 24.9
High
(+)
Very High
(++)
33.0 - 38.9
34.0 - 39.9
36.0 - 41.9
20.0 - 24.9
22.0 - 27.9
25.0 - 29.9
39.0
40.0
42.0
25.0
28.0
30.0
Gender
HBF-500 for FDA 10-26.qxd 10/26/06 4:21 PM Page 7