BBLex The Bodybuilders Dictionary

Bodyfat calculation with circumferrences

Method of the US Navy

The locations for men:

Places where to measure male circumferrences for the bodyfat calculation after the US-Navy formula

Abdomen: Horizontal at the level of the navel. This is not the minimal width.
Neck: Inferior to the larynx with the tape sloping slightly downward to the front.
Height: Is measured without shoes.

The formula for men:

%Fat=495/(1.0324-.19077(log(abdomen-neck))+.15456(log(height)))-450

All measurements in cm, measured to the nearest 0.5cm (¼ inch).

The locations for women:

Places where to measure female circumferrences for the bodyfat calculation after the US-Navy formula

Abdomen: Horizontal, at the level of minimal abdominal width.
Hip: Largest horizontal circumference around the hips.
Neck: Inferior to the larynx with the tape sloping slightly downward to the front.
Height: Is measured without shoes.

The formula for women:

%Fat=495/(1.29579-.35004(log(abdomen+hip-neck))+.22100(log(height)))-450

All measurements in cm, measured to the nearest 0.5cm (¼ inch).

Source:

J. Hodgdon. and M. Beckett: Prediction of percent body fat for U.S. navy men and women from body circumferences and height. Reports No. 84-29 and 84-11. Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, Cal. 1984

References:

http://www.nhrc.navy.mil/programs/BodyFat/index.html
http://www.cyberiron.com/interact/bodyfat.html

The Navy also has the calculator on their website:

http://www.mwr.navy.mil/prims/PFAcalculators.htm
(with many thanks to Dr. James Hodgdon for his kind advice)

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Height:	cm	inch
Neck:	cm	inch
Abdomen:	cm	inch
Hip (women only):	cm	inch
Gender: