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What is your body fat percentage?

I just purchased a body fat scale and I am interested in everyones calculations. I know they may be 100% accurate, however, I notice that some that are the same height as me but weigh less have a higher body fat percentage. I'm curious to see others calculations.

My calculations are:

5'5
143.6lbs
26.6% body fat
60.6% water


Mon. Aug 21, 11:17am

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5'6"
129 lbs
26% body fat

Monday, August 21, 2006, 11:43 AM

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This wasn't based upon a scale but the actual skin caliper testing.

5' 5 3/4"
140
22.3%

Monday, August 21, 2006, 11:57 AM

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what is skin caliper testing?

Monday, August 21, 2006, 11:57 AM

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They use a small metal object and measure the thickness of your skin folds at various spots (triceps, thigh, waistline). There might be 2 or 3 other areas but they only did 3 on me. Anyway, I don't know how that copmares to the scales. I've never been on one. But I do know that according to the BMI found on the internet where you plug in your height and weight, my "normal" would be 23.7 and instead I'm 22.3. I liked this much better because it made me feel like they were looking at MY body composition, not just a person at X amount of weight and height and making assumptions. I found that our local hospital had someone who did these tests for $5.

Monday, August 21, 2006, 1:57 PM

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Im 5 ft
weight 133
bodyfat: 31.8 %

Damn, im high in this group, but im working on it! It used to be 38% (about a a yr ago). This was using a digital/computer like machine

Monday, August 21, 2006, 3:26 PM

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Height: 5'5"
Weight: 150
Body fat: 25%

I'm getting there... one more point to a healthy BMI

Tuesday, August 22, 2006, 10:08 AM

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5' 5"
26%
142 lbs.

Tuesday, August 22, 2006, 5:57 PM

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5'5"
between 177 and 181 depending on the time of day

35%

I am over a third FAT!!!!

Wednesday, August 23, 2006, 11:50 AM

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I wanted to ask a question about body fat percentages, I have a tanita scale and in the set up for reading BFP I can choose the gender of the user. When I log in as a female (I am) I get a reading of 34% or so. I weigh 138 pounds and am 5ft 5, but I don't think I look as if my BFP should be that much.

Do you think I should try logging in as a male? Why does sex matter for calculating percentage?

I'm just very confused by it all at the minute, especially after reading everyone else's results

Wednesday, August 23, 2006, 12:12 PM

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12:12 poster

Men carry more muscle, women more fat (as a percentage). The weight scales that also read BFP are not very accurate. The %'s can vary quite a bit just depending on what time of day you take a reading, they will read higher in the morning and lowest in the evening or at night. (opposite of body weight)

If you want to use your scale to monitor BF%, pick a day to test yourself and take readings throughout the day. When you determine the time of day you get your lowest reading, use that time period to check BF%, everytime. Don't worry whether your reading is 100% accurate just keep track of how much lower (or higher) the daily or weekly readings go from your starting point. Then you will know if your workouts or diets are taking you in the right direction! You might even take a weekly reading and then average them for a month to month comparison.

And please don't compare youself to the numbers you see posted here! So many reasons they could be off from actual. (Hydration effects readings a lot)

Link

Wednesday, August 23, 2006, 2:43 PM

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BMI vs. BFP

There might be some confussion... BMI is Body Mass Index. It doesn't measure or tell you anything about Body Fat Percentage. And vice versa Bf% doesn't measure or tell you anything about BMI. You can have a normal or low BMI and still carry too much body fat.

Take me for example...
Age 39 / female
Height: 5'7"
weight: 153
BMI: 24 (normal)
BF% 26 (too high/ Cooper Clinic standard for my age is 23%bf)

Wednesday, August 23, 2006, 2:56 PM

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12:12 poster here

I've been doing my BFP every day at around 4pm (before dinner) and then taking a weekly average, which is where I get the 34% from.

My measurements are 38-28.5-37, so I just didn't think my BFP should be that high. When I started this the average read 39% so it has come down but it just seemed very high.

Thanks for the help though. =)

Wednesday, August 23, 2006, 3:14 PM

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2:43 poster here

To the 12:12

It sounds like you are doing everything perfectly! Way to go!! down 5% is great! In MHO, the scales seem to read on the high end so if you were to have the test done with calipers you may get a lower reading. It seems like some of the numbers posted are lower than they should be too.

Wednesday, August 23, 2006, 3:35 PM

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12:12 here again.

Thanks again. I guess as long as it's going down and not up I can keep smiling! I'd like to lose a few more percent before christmas, bring it down to 30%

Wednesday, August 23, 2006, 3:37 PM

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Likewise, I'm surprised at the BF percentage that I'm getting.
I'm 5'6/157/34%bf
But my water percentage is low - 46%
And I have a large frame.
So I'm wondering how those numbers all fit together and balance out.
I've got good tone and I drink 94-128oz of water a day and I'm dropping weight daily, but not body fat despite exercise. Do I need to build more muscle?
I'm slightly hyperthyroid as a result of a thyroidectomy and dr's upping my meds, if that possibly fits into the equation.
It's all confusing. I'll haveto look into getting a caliper reading.

Monday, August 28, 2006, 3:24 AM

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HEIGHT: 5'7''
WEIGHT: 114lbs
BODY FAT%: 16%


Monday, August 28, 2006, 12:44 PM

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5'4
137lbs
20% bf

Tuesday, September 26, 2006, 3:05 PM

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i m a guy 5'9 205
bf 23% should be between 11-15%

Tuesday, September 26, 2006, 3:51 PM

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Female
5'4"
175 lbs (morning weigh-in)
38% bf (afternoon reading)

Tuesday, September 26, 2006, 6:18 PM

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Female
35
5'4
129
20%

Wednesday, November 22, 2006, 10:38 AM

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Female
5'4"
172.4 lbs
37.4 %

Currently wearing around a size 12 or 14.

Wednesday, November 22, 2006, 3:51 PM

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male
5'11"
148-150lbs
10% bf

if you live in new york and are motivated/dedicated feel free to join my new group hooligans

Wednesday, November 22, 2006, 8:58 PM

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26% too high, I know.

Thursday, November 23, 2006, 9:58 AM

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Female
5' 1"
130 lbs
34.5% :((((

Friday, November 24, 2006, 3:04 AM

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Female
5'4
125
19%

Monday, February 12, 2007, 10:27 AM

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male

5.7 1/2 ft

170 lbs

14.6% body fat

Tuesday, April 03, 2007, 10:04 PM

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5'4
155
28%

Tuesday, April 03, 2007, 10:57 PM

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female
BMI 22%
BF 19.8%
137

Wednesday, April 04, 2007, 4:24 AM

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female
5'-7"
150 lbs.
26% bf

Wednesday, April 04, 2007, 7:45 AM

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bodyfat

female
5"-1"
150
26%bf
Based on the actual skin caliper testing.


Wednesday, April 15, 2009, 2:12 PM

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I watched a show where the person was 60% fat. I was shocked.

Wednesday, April 15, 2009, 4:41 PM

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Female, age 26
5'1"
113 lbs
Tanita scale says 21%-23%, depending on how hydrated I am

Thursday, April 16, 2009, 10:04 AM

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Tanita scale

The Tanita I use adds the complication of asking whether you are an athlete or not to the gender question and age question, all to better "interpret" (aka fudge based on statistical averages for certain groups) the body fat percentage reading it gives me.

As a detail freak, I find this frustrating but I take periodic readings, later in the day, when I am warm, haven't eaten for 3 hours, well-hydrated, and sans clothing. When I use the scale, I record both the "I'm an athlete" and my "I'm not an athlete" readings. Whichever reading I use, I have dropped over 5% in the body fat ratio in the past 3 months, which combined with a 15 lb weight loss, means I've actually added muscle while losing more fat than 15lbs. (I had to get a spreadsheet out to figure this one, but it was worth it for the happy factor.)

So I totally agree with the poster who suggested comparing readings over time. That's what helps me to see progress.

Thursday, April 16, 2009, 3:34 PM

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Is everyone sure they are looking at the body fat percentage or are you looking at your BMI (body mass index)

Age: 29
Height: 5'5
Weight: 133
Body Fat %: 25.79
BMI: 22 1/8

Thursday, April 16, 2009, 3:42 PM

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5ft 0
160 lbs
23.7% body fat

Friday, April 17, 2009, 12:15 AM

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How can I lower it??

5'3"
132.0 lbs
29.3% body fat

I'm working out, eathing healthy, and this a natural weight for me but I want lower!

Tuesday, May 12, 2009, 5:07 PM

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5'9"
160 lbs
25.9%

Tuesday, May 12, 2009, 5:58 PM

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46

I'm 29, 5ft5, 133lbs, wear a size 8.......... But have a massive 46percent body fat! What gives? I'm obese but i dont look it. I cant loose it at all. HELP

Monday, May 17, 2010, 2:31 AM

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how do you calculate bodyfat percentage. ballpark.

Friday, October 01, 2010, 8:48 AM

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How do you get your body fat down? It looks like simply losing weight does not do the trick. You are just skinny fat!

Friday, October 01, 2010, 11:50 AM

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Age: 41
Height: 5'6"
Weight: 144
Size: 8
Body fat: 30%

I'm not happy with this much fat... I can improve... I can do better...

Saturday, October 02, 2010, 10:47 AM

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My calculations

(measured by my personal trainer)

5'4"
114 pounds
35.5% body fat

How is this even possible!?
I don't even look fat, I'm scurred.

Tuesday, March 20, 2012, 1:18 AM

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Pp, its entirely possible the trainer is way off.

Tuesday, March 20, 2012, 9:51 AM

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5'5
120 pounds
22 percent body fat

Thursday, March 22, 2012, 12:03 PM

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tanita scale

I also have a Tanita scale & wondered if it was off. I am 52, weigh 160, 5'3.5" so I need to lose a good 20 lbs. My body fat is 40%, altho' if you look at me I don't look fat. I workout a lot & my fat is contained by the muscle. However, b/c I didn't think my scale was accurate, I paid to have a body scan where I laid on a table & they took an x-ray of my body. The body fat% was the same! I was very depressed! But it is motivating me to get rid of the weight. Although, my goal is about 28% body fat since I was at 31% about 15 lbs ago. Every body is different. I will never be a "thin" person, altho' I have pretty small bones.

Thursday, March 22, 2012, 7:02 PM

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