Conference pasta::flex

    I just stumbled onto a tape-measure version of measuring bodyfat.
    
    Men  : -98.42 + 4.15 X Waist - .082 X weight
    
    Women: -76.76 + 4.15 X waist - .082 X weight
    
    
    Take this number, DIVIDE by your weight. That will give you your
    bodyfat percentage.
    
    Waist = inches taken at your navel
    Weight = weight in pounds
    
    I did it, estimating my waist sizie (Oddly enough, I don't have a tape
    measure handy!) and it came out to 19%, which is what I had for a
    caliper test recently.  So, it appears to be as accurate as a caliper
    test.
    
    Give it a try and see if it comes out to what you expected. It could
    just bo a coincidence that it was the same number for me.
    
    Sarah

<                     <<< Note 28.123 by HOTLNE::CORMIER >>>
<                    -< Formula for tape-measure body fat % >-
<
<   I just stumbled onto a tape-measure version of measuring bodyfat.
<    
<    Men  : -98.42 + 4.15 X Waist - .082 X weight
<    
<    Women: -76.76 + 4.15 X waist - .082 X weight
<    
<    
<    Take this number, DIVIDE by your weight. That will give you your
<    bodyfat percentage.
<    
<    Waist = inches taken at your navel
<    Weight = weight in pounds
<    
<    I did it, estimating my waist sizie (Oddly enough, I don't have a tape
<    measure handy!) and it came out to 19%, which is what I had for a
<    caliper test recently.  So, it appears to be as accurate as a caliper
<    test.
<    
<    Give it a try and see if it comes out to what you expected. It could
<    just bo a coincidence that it was the same number for me.
<    
<    Sarah

Sarah,

i'm guessing we're using higher order math 1st?
	Men  : -98.42 + 4.15 X Waist - .082 X weight
would be:
	Men  : (-98.42 + (4.15 X Waist) - (.082 X weight))/weight

is there a multiply by 100 in there at the end to convert to percent? please 
tell me this is so, cause i'm doing a hell-lava better than i thought! 8^)

reg.

    reg,
    Picky picky picky. EVERYBODY knows you do the multiplication first ; )
    
    Remember, this is about as accurate as a caliper test, so add on about
    2-3%.  And as always, standard disclaimer, your mileage may vary...
    
    So, what is your number? Come on, I stated MY number. Who else tried
    this?  How far off is it?
    
    I know there is always a controversy using the same place for measuring
    men and women (Men tend to gain fat in the waist, women in the hips,
    etc.), but the difference in the -X numbers may offset that. Let me 
    know!
    

    I just did mine and I guess it's OK?
    
    	It says I'm about 17.58% body fat.  I take it that, that is pretty
    well OK?  If someone wishes to do the math with my waist size and
    weight..by all means...waist 31 and weight 180.
    
    	Jay

	My last caliper test had me at around 12% body fat, with this test it
calculated to 12.46%, so I would say it's pretty accurate. 6'2", 230 Lbs, 12%
bodyfat, the hard work is paying off. Where's the warm weather?

    All right, call me stupid if you want, but I don't get it...
    
    Someone feel like showing an example with a waist and weight
    measurement...  oh ya,,, and don't forget to show the answer...
    
    daahh,,,,, thank you

    
     -98.42 + 4.15 x (31)waist  -  .082 x (180)weight
    
    	             3179.67    -   14.76
    
    	              3164.91  Divided by 180
    
    			     17.58%
    
    	Okeydokeypokey!
    
    		Jay

    I just did mine,,,  it looks nice,,, I just find it hard to
    believe that my % is 17.83.
    Someone feel like double checking for me...  waist 29, weight 131
    
    This past winter when the health fair was here, they used their
    lil machine and gave me a body fat% of 22%, last March (96) it
    was 19% (calipers).
    
    I guess I just find it had to believe because, my cloths have
    been feeling tighter and my eatting habits haven't been
    the best in the world....  Though maybe my aerobics helping
    keep my bad habits in line.....
    
    /shannon
    

<         <<< Note 28.129 by POLAR::TYSICK "Prying Open my Third Eye" >>>
<                   -< And I don't even work for NASA!  [^;= >-
<
<    
<     -98.42 + 4.15 x (31)waist  -  .082 x (180)weight
<    
<    	             3179.67    -   14.76
<    
<    	              3164.91  Divided by 180
<    
<    			     17.58%
<    
<    	Okeydokeypokey!
<    
<    		Jay


i was wondering how many people wowould do this! someone, please tell me if i'm 
wrong, but i remember math this way:

<     -98.42 + 4.15 x (31)waist  -  .082 x (180)weight
<    
<    	             3179.67    -   14.76
<    
<    	              3164.91  Divided by 180
<    
<    			     17.58%

	-98.42 (that's MINUS FOLKS, change sign key on your calc)
	+ (4.15 x waist, 31)
	- (.082 x weight, 180)

	all equals:	
	
	- 98.42
	+128.65
	- 14.76
	--------
	15.47

	15.47/180=0.0859

	which is why i asked about the times 100: 0.0859 x 100 [conv to %]=8.59

what did i do wrong?????

reg.

    I told ya, this is why I don't work for NASA.  [^;=
    
    	Gawd, it just reminded me of High School.  Do we have a
    mathemagician among us, or what?
    
    	Jay

    
    I can only seem to get the version in .129 right if the first number is
    98.42 and not -98.42.
    
    Something must be wrong, surely!
    
    Tony
    
    {:^{
    
    

well, it's like with any good mathematical formulae: there are conversion 
factors [or the more aptly put "fudge factors"] that one must take into account.
the -98.42 has to represent something which is why is must be subtracted from
conversion of waist and weight  to unitless features [4.15 x waist (which is in 
inches) and 0.082 x weight (which is usually in lbs)]; the -98.42 has to unit 
out the final division of weight (in lbs) such that the result is unitless as
answers that eventually end up in percent are generally unitless.

so, either the punction in the equation is wrong, or some of us are 'thinner' 
than we thought.

reg.

    Well, mine was <blush> 33%.  At the health fair last October their
    little ultrasonic thingy said 37%.  I'd guess that the 2-3% fudge
    factor needs to be applied, so 35% after a few months of moderate
    exercise would seem to make sense.
    
    The measures I am using are body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio,
    and now the body fat approximater (and weight, obviously).  I'm due to
    see the doc again next month, so we'll see how his calipers compare to
    the estimator.
    
    jeb