Question:
The difference between BMI and body fat content

I just joined Curves and have a question reqarding the difference between BMI and BOdy fat content. They measured my body fat with a hand held machine. I was just wondering what the difference is. BTW I love curves and am hoping to maintain my weight until my revision for my staple disrupture which is schduled for April 2nd. Thanks in advance for any answers    — cindy O. (posted on February 5, 2003)

February 5, 2003
BMI is the ratio of height to weight. The formula is:<p> weight(in pounds)/ht(in inches) squared*703 <p>And there are a lot of calculators on line that will figure it out for you - this site has one. <p> Body fat is the percentage of total body weight that is fat vs. the percentage that is Lean Body Mass (muscle, bone, organs, etc). It can be measured using calipers-measures the thickness of the fat rolls, or under water weighing, or by bioelectrical impedence-an electrical current is run thru your body and a calculation can be done to find body fat%. This last method is the one the Tanita scales use. The most accurate is the under water weighing, but there are not many places around that do that.
   — Ali M

February 5, 2003
You can also calculate your percent body fat using height/weight and waist-to-hip ratio. This is the method I used. I am sure it is not 100% accurate, but I used it to show my progress. I went from BMI 43/57% body fat to BMI 23.5/24% body fat. BTW, when I was in college, my BMI was 21 and my percent body fat was 54%. That's why I wear a 6P now vs. a 12 then even though I weigh 15 pounds more! I actually set my goals by my percent body fat because I wanted to be healthy, not just skinny. The normal range for my age group is 22-27%.
   — ctyst