BMI versus Body Fat

randomer

Is there any corolation between the two? For example, I am 5ft 10 and weight 83.5kgs. According to my scales I have a BMI of 24.9%. Does my Body Fat percentage have anything to do with this, or do I need to get that measured separately?

I am confused

Appreaciate any clarification.

PeakOutput

im pretty sure the bmi is not a percentage so according to what you said your bmi is 24 your percentage body fat could be alot higher or lower than 24% depending on how much muscle you have.

bmi only takes into account weight and height not what makes up that weight so for example if you look at some pics of hanley in his tackling sheiko log he is pretty much all muscle but according to the bmi he is obese(iirc)

randomer

PeakOutput wrote: »

im pretty sure the bmi is not a percentage so according to what you said your bmi is 24 your percentage body fat could be alot higher or lower than 24% depending on how much muscle you have.

bmi only takes into account weight and height not what makes up that weight so for example if you look at some pics of hanley in his tackling sheiko log he is pretty much all muscle but according to the bmi he is obese(iirc)

Thanks. That makes more sense now.

Hanley

If you have access to both as a means of measurement, then BMI is absoutely worthless.

If you can only go by BMI, take it with a pinch of salt.

BMI's generally not given in % terms. It's usually a proper number. Like 24.5 or 28.9 or something. So maybe your scales is saying BMI, but means BF%...?

As PeakOutput said, because I'm so heavily muscled and even tho my bodyfat's only around 16% at the moment, I'm technically obese.

randomer

I actually added the percentage on. The scales doesn't mention it. I entered my height, age and sex, and it gave me the measurement.

If I buy a calipers, is it easy to measure my own BF% or should I get it done in a gym?

Hanley

randomer wrote: »

I actually added the percentage on. The scales doesn't mention it. I entered my height, age and sex, and it gave me the measurement.

If I buy a calipers, is it easy to measure my own BF% or should I get it done in a gym?

Ohh so it would be your BMI that you're being given then!!

Measuring your BF% with calipers is quite easy, just measure your superiliac crest, as seen below;



I don't think there's any need to do multi point measurements unless you have someone quite experienced to do it for you. Just track your superiliac measurement, and if it's going down or staying the same while you increase weight (that is to say put on more muscle, but no fat), then you're doing well.

rubadub

Hanley wrote: »

Ohh so it would be your BMI that you're being given then!!

I think it is 50/50. BMI does not need to know your sex or age, so why would they ask? While its formula for BF% might take them into account.

randomer- does the scales have 2 metal pad things that you stand on? does it specifically tell you to stand on it in bare feet? if it does then it is capable of giving a (poor) BF% estimate, it might also give you a BMI readout too, since it has the info it needs for that too. Some scale might omit the % symbol since it just costs more to have it. Have you the instructions? It could be giving either at the moment.

A calipers is better as mentioned, also keep track of meaurements, like waist, chest, thighs etc, take photos of yourself, since change is gradual and hard to notice (in the last week I had 3 people telling me I am wasting away!, they hadn't seen me for a few months.)

A better guide might be the hip to waist ratio, read the instructions the waist is not measured at your belt.
http://www.bmi-calculator.net/waist-to-hip-ratio-calculator/