The tape should be snug but not pinched too tightly around the waist. You can repeat the measurement times to ensure a consistent reading. According to an expert panel convened by the National Institutes of Health, a waist size larger than 40 inches for men and 35 inches for women increases the chances of developing heart disease, cancer, or other chronic diseases.

Like the waist circumference, the waist-to-hip ratio WHR is used to measure abdominal obesity. It is inexpensive and simple to use, and a good predictor of disease risk and early mortality. Some believe that WHR may be a better indicator of risk than waist circumference alone, as waist size can vary based on body frame size, but a large study found that waist circumference and WHR were equally effective at predicting risk of death from heart disease, cancer, or any cause.

The World Health Organization has also found that cut-off points that define health risks may vary by ethnicity. For example, Asians appear to show higher metabolic risk when carrying higher body fat at a lower BMI; therefore the cut-off value for a healthy WHR in Asian women is 0.

Stand up straight and follow the directions for measuring waist circumference. Then wrap the tape measure around the widest part of the buttocks. Divide the waist size by the hip size. The WHO defines abdominal obesity in men as a WHR more than 0. Waist-to-height ratio WHtR is a simple, inexpensive screening tool that measures visceral abdominal fat.

It has been supported by research to predict cardiometabolic risk factors such as hypertension, and early death, even when BMI falls within a healthy range.

To determine WHtR, divide waist circumference in inches by height in inches. A measurement of 0. Equations are used to predict body fat percentage based on these measurements.

It is inexpensive and convenient, but accuracy depends on the skill and training of the measurer. At least three measurements are needed from different body parts. The calipers have a limited range and therefore may not accurately measure persons with obesity or those whose skinfold thickness exceeds the width of the caliper.

BIA equipment sends a small, imperceptible, safe electric current through the body, measuring the resistance. The current faces more resistance passing through body fat than it does passing through lean body mass and water.

Equations are used to estimate body fat percentage and fat-free mass. Readings may also not be as accurate in individuals with a BMI of 35 or higher. Individuals are weighed on dry land and then again while submerged in a water tank. This method is accurate but costly and typically only used in a research setting.

It can cause discomfort as individuals must completely submerge under water including the head, and then exhale completely before obtaining the reading. This method uses a similar principle to underwater weighing but can be done in the air instead of in water.

It is expensive but accurate, quick, and comfortable for those who prefer not to be submerged in water. Individuals drink isotope-labeled water and give body fluid samples. Researchers analyze these samples for isotope levels, which are then used to calculate total body water, fat-free body mass, and in turn, body fat mass.

X-ray beams pass through different body tissues at different rates. DEXA uses two low-level X-ray beams to develop estimates of fat-free mass, fat mass, and bone mineral density. It cannot distinguish between subcutaneous and visceral fat, cannot be used in persons sensitive to radiation e.

These two imaging techniques are now considered to be the most accurate methods for measuring tissue, organ, and whole-body fat mass as well as lean muscle mass and bone mass. However, CT and MRI scans are typically used only in research settings because the equipment is extremely expensive and cannot be moved.

CT scans cannot be used with pregnant women or children, due to exposure to ionizing radiation, and certain MRI and CT scanners may not be able to accommodate individuals with a BMI of 35 or higher. Some studies suggest that the connection between body mass index and premature death follows a U-shaped curve.

The problem is that most of these studies included smokers and individuals with early, but undetected, chronic and fatal diseases. Cigarette smokers as a group weigh less than nonsmokers, in part because smoking deadens the appetite.

Potentially deadly chronic diseases such as cancer, emphysema, kidney failure, and heart failure can cause weight loss even before they cause symptoms and have been diagnosed. Instead, low weight is often the result of illnesses or habits that may be fatal. Many epidemiologic studies confirm that increasing weight is associated with increasing disease risk.

The American Cancer Society fielded two large long-term Cancer Prevention Studies that included more than one million adults who were followed for at least 12 years. Both studies showed a clear pattern of increasing mortality with increasing weight. According to the current Dietary Guidelines for Americans a body mass index below But some people live long, healthy lives with a low body mass index.

But if you start losing weight without trying, discuss with your doctor the reasons why this could be happening.

Learn more about maintaining a healthy weight. The contents of this website are for educational purposes and are not intended to offer personal medical advice. You should seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The Nutrition Source does not recommend or endorse any products.

Skip to content The Nutrition Source. The Nutrition Source Menu. Search for:. These cells comprise of everything in your body from your muscles , bones , organs, fat , and nerves.

Your body composition specifically can break down the percentages of how much of your cells make up your lean mass and your body fat. Measuring your body composition offers helpful information about the state of your overall health that other measures like body weight and body mass index can't offer.

Your body composition measures two important factors: your body fat and your lean mass. The weight on your scale measures how heavy you are in pounds or kilograms. Your BMI is a common measurement that healthcare providers use to quickly analyze your health data.

It's worth noting that the BMI measure is outdated and flawed because it makes assumptions about your overall health by only considering two factors: your height and weight.

Specifically, your BMI is a ratio of your weight and height. A BMI chart breaks down this ratio into four categories:. Body composition offers a much more thorough assessment of your health than body weight or BMI because it measures what percentages of fat and lean mass make up your total weight.

While two people might weigh the same, they could have completely different body compositions. Having a well-balanced body composition sets you up for long-term health success.

Body fat is necessary for survival and helps insulate protect you from extreme temperatures, cushions your organs, and stores energy. However, too much body fat can decrease your quality of life by putting you at risk of sleep apnea , breathing problems, and body aches.

If your body has a higher body fat percentage, you may also be at an increased risk of developing cardiovascular heart diseases , type 2 diabetes , several types of cancer, and premature or, early death. That said, keeping your body fat low is more important than having a lower body weight.

Your body fat can also vary by age. Your provider can also take all of these factors into account when helping you learn about your body composition and identify imbalances in body fat and lean mass you may have. There are several different tests to measure body composition.

Your healthcare provider can help you decide which assessment is best for you. Your options may include:. It's important to note that some people use weight scales to measure their body composition. One study even compared the results from three different commercially available scales to a DXA scan and found the weight scales were inaccurate.

A variety of factors can affect your body composition. Unlike the BMI, your body composition takes the following factors into consideration:. Your healthcare provider can help you better understand important details about the percentage of body fat and lean mass in your body and offer advice on how to move forward.

If you want to change your body composition either by increasing lean mass or reducing body fat , here are some safe, effective ways to do so:.

Body composition is the breakdown of body fat and lean mass that you carry. Unlike the BMI which only considers your height and weight, factors like your age, sex, hormone levels, lifestyle habits, and genetics all play a role in your body composition.

If you want a holistic assessment of the state of your health, knowing your body composition is more useful than just knowing your body weight or BMI. By looking at the breakdown of lean mass compared to fat in your body, you and your healthcare can develop a plan to make certain lifestyle changes that can help you reach your health goals and lower the risk of developing certain health conditions.

Sender R, Fuchs S, Milo R. Revised estimates for the number of human and bacteria cells in the body. PLoS Biol. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Metabolic testing. Etchison WC, Bloodgood EA, Minton CP, et al.

Please keep in mind that these are only rough estimates. The term athletic in this context refers to sports where low body fat is an advantage.

Different sports have different requirements in terms of body composition. In some contact sports such as American football or rugby, a higher body weight is generally seen as an advantage. In sports such as gymnastics, marathon running, and other weight-bearing activities, a lower body weight and high power-to-weight ratio are extremely important.

Therefore, in these sports both low body fat and low body weight are necessary. In sports such as body­building, increasing lean-body mass and increasing body weight without increasing body fat are desir­able. No accepted percentage body fat standards exist for athletes. The ideal body composition is highly dependent on the particular sport or discipline and should be discussed on an individual basis with the coach, physiologist, and nutritionist or dietician.