Conference rocks::weight_control

165.0. "body composition analysis" by HPSCAD::WHITMAN (Acid rain burns my BASS) Thu Dec 03 1987 11:58

	I have spent some time searching this notes conference for some
references to the BODY COMPOSITION ANALYSIS tests which are available to
tell you the fat/lean percentages.  Not finding anything, I'd like to open
this one and start the conversation rolling.

	I recently joined a fitness center where they have the Nautilus
machines, Lifecycles, Liferower, Universal Gym, and free weights.  For $5
you can get your body composition analysis done.  This machine is supposed to
tell you how much of your body weight is fat, how much is lean, how much is
water, and has recommendations for weight loss etc.

	Before I went in I did some quick math based on the recommended
height/weight charts that are posted near the scale here in MRO1.

A MALE (over 25)  6'0"  large frame  ->	185 lbs  ideal weight

I figured (from my little crystal ball) that this figure probably included 15%
body fat (I suspect women's % might be a little higher).  This would yield an
ideal lean weight of 157.25 lbs 

??????	WHAT PERCENTAGE OF MY TOTAL WEIGHT IS LEAN?

157.25 ( 85% of 185 lbs )
----- 			= 72.8 % body lean  and therefore 27.2 % body fat
216.0 ( current weight )

	Finishing the math nets us 157.25 lbs of lean
				    58.75 lbs of fat

For $5 I learned --->

	The operator told me the body resistance is the key and that fat is
more resistive than muscle tissue.  The machine measured my body resistance (in
ohms) and proceeded to give me the following printout: 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
with $5 and a whizzy machine				|       with a pencil
							|	    from
							|	chart figures
*****	       SPACELABS BC-300		*****		|
	     BODY COMPOSITION TEST			|
		   SUMMARY				|
							|
	Sex: male		Height:  72 in		|
	Age: 38			Weight: 216 lbs		|
							|
		TEST RESULTS				|
							|
Percent Body Fat:		 28.5%			|	 27.2%	   -1.3%
Fat Body Weight:		 61.5 lbs		|	 58.75 lbs -2.75
Lean Body Weight:		154.5 lbs		|	157.25 lbs +2.75
Basal Metabolic Rate:		2132 calories/day	|
Total Body Water:		50.9 liters		|
				51.9% of body weight	|
				72.6% of lean weight	|
							|
Bioresistance			465 ohms		|
							|
		RECOMMENDATIONS				|
							|
Target % body fat		15.5  to  18.5%		|
 which yields a						|
							|
Target Weight of		182.8  to 189.6 lbs	|	185 lbs
Weight to lose			 26.4  t0  33.2 lbs	|	 31 lbs



Given all this --->


	Three Questions:

	1: Is the cheap way of getting the numbers close enough?
	2: Does anyone know how the machine works? (i.e. what is the formula?)

    I don't know how accurate these machines are; but there is a cheaper
    way.  The nurse in BXB2 (Codman Hill Road Boxboro,Mass) has one
    of them and gives the test for free.  Appointments are necessary
    because the machine is lent to other DEC Facilities.
    
    I first used the machine about fifty pounds ago and redo it every
    twenty pounds or so.  It is currently aiming me for 189 pounds and
    I am 6'3" and 203 pounds.  When I was around 250 lbs is targeted
    me for 219 lbs.  Everytime it has aimed me lower, but with less
    weight to lose.
    
    I figure someday at goal, which I really believe to be th 189, I
    will try this test and a dunk test within a day or too.  
    
    I don't know where, or for what cost the dunk test is available,
    bu this subject came up in the FLEX notesfile.
    
    -Joe
      

    Well, the problem with using the charts is that they don't take
    into account the amount of "overweight" due to muscle, or the 
    fact that some people have LESS muscle than the average, and should
    weigh less than the charts say.  For example, at 135 lbs and 5'4"
    in height, I am far below the target percent fat for women of my
    age.  That target is 20-25%.  What I've been told is reasonable
    is around 17%.  I've been tested at 11.8, 12.6, and 13.3, by various
    methods.  While 135 lbs (ok, 132-134 really, but I rounded) I would
    be considered a bit heavy for 5'4".  If I weighed 120, I would be
    so low in bodyfat for a women that I would be unhealthy.  I may
    get down to 125 for the competition in June, but won't stay at that
    weight for very long.  Yet I know that a friend of mine who is taller
    than I am and weighs about the same has a bodyfat of about 23%.
    She could weigh 125 very easily, although she's a few inches taller
    than I am.
    
    So the charts can be misleading if you are more or less muscular
    than the average.

    --Louise

    Another way to calculate your percentage of body fat is in the book
    "Neuopsychology of Weight Control" sold in a tape set by that name.
    Perhaps you have a friend or neighbor that has one. It haas a method
    of measuring and weighing that calculates this info.
    
    Len