What are the Body Fat Measurements?
Obesity is best classified in adults based on Body Mass Index (BMI) classification. BMI, you already know, is a measure of body jut based on, height and weight. However, in clinical practice, body fat (BF %) measurements are also gaining importance. Body fat was always measured in sports subjects to monitor level of practice and physical fitness. Body fat is generally considered a predictor of storing unused fuels when energy intake exceeds energy expenditure. In initial stages, the net body weight may be within the normal range but body fat exceeds. However, level of body fat also depends on the level of physical inactivity, sex, age and genetic predisposition. TI, adults, the body fat > 24% and in women, > 27% fat is considered to be overweight over fat. However, these cut offs are used for pure academic study rather than actually classifying obesity. Classification of obesity based on BMI and BF% do not necessarily overlap and BMI has many more clinical correlates to risk of diseases than BF%. Generally, BF% per se correlates best to physical activity levels.