1. What is Body Fat Percentage?

Body Fat Percentage (BF%) is a measure of the amount of fat in your body compared to your total body weight. The 3-site skinfold method provides an estimate of your body composition using caliper measurements at specific body locations.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the following equation:

Where:

• \( Sum \) — Sum of skinfold measurements (mm) from 3 sites (typically chest, abdomen, and thigh for men; triceps, suprailiac, and thigh for women)
• \( Age \) — Age in years

Explanation: The equation accounts for the non-linear relationship between skinfold thickness and body fat percentage, with age as a modifying factor.

3. Importance of Body Fat Measurement

Details: Knowing your body fat percentage helps assess health risks, track fitness progress, and set appropriate weight management goals more accurately than BMI alone.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the sum of your 3-site skinfold measurements in millimeters and your age in years. All values must be valid (sum > 0, age between 1-120).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Where should I take skinfold measurements?
A: For men: chest, abdomen, thigh. For women: triceps, suprailiac, thigh. Always measure on the right side of the body.

Q2: How accurate is this method?
A: When performed correctly by a trained professional, skinfold measurements can be within 3-4% of more advanced methods like DEXA scans.

Q3: What are healthy body fat percentages?
A: For men: 6-24% (athletes 6-13%, fitness 14-17%, average 18-24%). For women: 16-30% (athletes 14-20%, fitness 21-24%, average 25-30%).

Q4: When should I measure?
A: Measure at the same time of day (morning is best), under consistent conditions (hydration, recent exercise can affect measurements).

Q5: Are there limitations to this method?
A: Less accurate for extremely lean or obese individuals, and results can vary based on the skill of the person taking measurements.