Have you been told before that you are in the overweight category because your BMI (body mass index) is too high but you don't seem to agree that you are overweight?
Well.... You may be right! I saw a patient yesterday who was told previously that he was overweight according to his BMI classification (BMI >25), but was pleasantly surprised when we measured his body fat percentage to see that he was actually in the normal, healthy range. The reason for this was that he is made up of more muscle mass than fat mass (muscle weighs more than fat).
BMI (body mass index) is used as an indicator of health by measuring weight divided by height (in metres squared). This BMI value essentially tells you if you are within a healthy weight range for your height (BMI 18.5 - 25). However, this value is not always the best marker since it does not take into account how much of that weight in kilograms is body fat and how much is lean muscle mass, bone or water.
There are different methods of measuring body fat percentage, where BIA (bio-electrical impedance) or the caliper method are the most common.
In my practice, I use a professional segmental body composition monitor (as seen in the picture) that provides a full body composition analysis in 30 seconds using BIA technology that is simple, fast and consistent.
If you would like to measure your body fat percentage (as well as your visceral fat, muscle mass, bone mass, basal metabolic rate, metabolic age etc), book a body composition assessment online at www.gabilaskerdietician.com/bookings.