Learn What Percent Body Fat You Have: The Basics

In your quest to lose weight, you can measure success by taking a body fat test. If you take one before beginning your diet or exercise regimen to learn what percent body fat you have, and then take one several weeks or months later, you can gauge how much fat you've lost from your body overall.

This body fat percentage gauge can be more accurate and telling than a simple weigh-in or even measurements for inches lost. When you exercise, you'll gain muscle and muscle weighs more than fat. The scale can say you've lost very little (or even that you've gained!) and yet you could still have made internal changes that are very valuable.

Body fat is usually measured in one of three ways:

• Caliper testing - An instrument called a caliper measures the layer of fat at various points on your body, usually the back of your upper arm and your waist. It works by pinching your skin, and results can sometimes vary depending on who is administering the test.
• Weighing underwater - Technically termed hydro densitometry, this test is done in a pool or tank of water. The most effective type of body fat percentage test, it's usually done at research facilities because of the specialized equipment needed.
• Bioelectrical testing - This test emits a small electric charge into your body to gauge the impedance of body fat and tissue.

So what's normal when it comes to percentages? For an adult male, 10% to 25% is considered normal and healthy, while adult women can be normal from 18% to 32%. Percentages of body fat will vary based on heredity, body type, and activity level.

You can also learn what percent body fat you have using our online body fat calculator. You will find it on the right hand side of this page.

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