Tutorial on how to calculate body fat percentage for both men and women.
Body fat is a kind of muscle/tissue used to store lipids, which are an important source of energy, and secretes a number of important harmones. But when this body fat, also called as "Adipose Tissue" grows in excess, it is a health concern for the body. Here is a simple online tutorial on how to calculate Body Fat Percentage (BFP) in both men and women. Use the formula provided below to measure body fat percentage easily and accurately. 
Body fat is of two kinds, essential body fat and the storage body fat. Essential body fat is good fat and is necessary to maintain a healthy life and reproductive function. Storage body fat is the fat accumulated in excess in adipose tissue. The percentage of essential body fat for women is greater than that for men, due to childbearing and other hormonal functions.
The optimum levels of essential body fats for men is around 2-5 % and for women, it is 10-13 %. The below table describes the optimum levels for different categories of people depending upon their fitness.
Excess body fat leads to obesity. Excess of storage fat is built up due to lack of physical activities / exercise and bad
diets. Body fats (Storage Fats) stored in abdominal region can be reduced by diet and exercise, whereas the fat stored in other parts of the body is so hard to reduce.
Body Fats (Storage Fats) are stored differently in men and women. Particularly, after menopause in women and after reduced sexual
hormones in men, excess body fat is accumulated around stomach in men, and
around the buttocks and thighs in women.
How To Calculate Body Fat Percentage (BFP)?
Know that the Body Fat Percentage (BFP) is simply the percentage of fat present in your body. The BFP formula answers your question of how to calculate body fat percentage? It is the total fat in your body divided by total weight of your body. The formula for Body Fat Percentage calculation differs for men and women and their physical structures differ. Measure body fat percentage easily and accurately using separate calculation formula.
Body Fat Percentage (BFP) Formula For Men:
Body Fat Percentage (Men) = (Body Fat Weight x 100) / Total Body Weight
Where,
Body Fat Weight = Total body weight - Lean Body Mass
Lean Body Mass = ((Total body weight x 1.082) + 94.42) - (Waist measurement x 4.15)
Body Fat Percentage (BFP) Formula For Women:
Body Fat Percentage (Women) = (Body Fat Weight x 100) / Total Body Weight
Where,
Body Fat Weight = Total body weight - Lean Body Mass
Lean Body Mass = ((Total body weight x 0.732) + 8.987) + (Wrist measurement (at fullest point) / 3.140) - (Waist measurement (at naval) x 0.157) - (Hip measurement (at fullest point) x 0.249) + (Forearm measurement (at fullest point) x 0.434)
NOTE: The result obtained from the above said BFP formula may not be accurate. To get a precise calculation of body fat, you can go by measurement with Calipers, bioelectric impedance analysis or hydrostatic density testing, done by a doctor, which yields results with absolute precision.
Example: Calculating BFP for men:
Consider a person with the total body weight of 58 Kg and with the waist measurement of 30 inches. Calculate the Body Fat Percentage of this person.
Body Fat Percentage (Men) = ((58 - Lean Body Mass) x 100) / 58
Lean Body Mass = ((58 x 1.082) + 94.42) - (30 x 4.15)
Lean Body Mass = (157.17 - 124.5) = 32.67
Body Fat Percentage (Men) = ((58 - 32.67) x 100) / 58
= ((25.33) x 100) / 58
= 2533/58
= 43.67%
Example: Calculating BFP for Women:
Consider a woman with the total body weight of 54 Kg, wrist circumference of 4 inches, forearm circumference of 7 inches, hip circumference of 28 inches and with the waist measurement of 36 inches. Calculate the Body Fat Percentage of this person.
Body Fat Percentage (Women) = 54 - Lean Body Mass
Lean Body Mass = ((54 x 0.732) + 8.987) + (4 / 3.140) - (36 x 0.157) - (28 x 0.249) + (7 x 0.434)
Lean Body Mass = ((48.51) + (1.27) - (5.65) - (6.972) + (3.03)
= 40.18
Body Fat Percentage (Women) = 54 - 40.18
= 13.82 %
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