In this blog we are going to tell you about Difference Between BMI and Body Fat, so read this blog carefully to get the complete information.
BMI and body fat percentage are two terms that are used when it comes to measurements of health and fitness. Both are the types of measurement which help to monitor weight loss as well as the fitness progress in our body. However, as both are types of measurement so many people get confused between them. Continue reading the article to know more about BMI and body fat along with the major differences between them.
What is BMI?
BMI stands for Body Mass Index which is the ratio between body weight and height. BMI can be obtained by dividing the body weight by the square of the body height. So the universal unit of BMI is kg/m2. The National Institute of Health (NIH), defines three situations by the usage of BMI: normal weight, overweight, and obesity. The value of BMI for normal weight should be less than 25 kg/m2 and in contrast to this, the value of BMI for overweight conditions lies between 25 to 29 kg/m2 whereas the value of BMI for obesity conditions is more than or equal to 30 kg/m2. This is a reason for the difference in weight in individuals of the same height because of the variable amount of fat they have. Some experts believe that the use of the value of BMI is more accurate to know the effect of weight loss on health. Moreover, BMI acts as an indicator of the health status of an individual and risk for diseases in recent medical studies. BMI can also predict the risk for high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, and other serious problems.
What is Body Fat?
Body fat or Body Fat percentage is the percentage of the value obtained by dividing the total fat of the body by the weight of the body. For instance, if the body fat percentage of a certain individual whose body weight is 100 kg is 20% then the weight of the total fat in his body must be 20 kg. And the remaining weight which is 80 kg is the lean mass of his bones, muscles, organs, soft tissues, and other parts. It implies that the body fat percentage can vary with the loss or gain of fat and even with the loss or gain of muscles. In addition to this, the body fat percentage of men and women is also different as it is always less in men in comparison to women. This is the reason while measuring the body fat percentage by the skinfold method, in men the abdomen, thigh, and chest are measured using a caliper while in women the thigh, hip, and triceps are measured. Since the body fat percentage provides the body composition, it is always regarded as a better measurement in comparison to BMI.
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Major Difference between BMI and Body Fat
The following are the major differences between BMI and Body fat as mentioned below:
- Meaning
BMI refers to a number that reflects body weight adjusted for height whereas body fat is a percentage that refers to a measure of fitness level. Body fat percentage directly calculates the relative body composition of a person without considering the height or weight while BMI considers the height so this is the main difference between BMI and body fat percentage
- Parameters
The two parameters encompassed in the measurement of BMI are weight and height whereas body fat percentage encompasses both the amount of fat and muscle mass.
- Complexity
Another difference between BMI and body fat is that BMI is a simple measurement whereas body fat percentage is more complex in terms of measurement.
- Importance
BMI is important in differentiating between normal weight, overweight and obesity whereas modified percentage provides you a detailed estimation of the composition of the body.
- Reference Values
Another common difference between BMI and body fat percentage is in their reference values. The value of BMI for the normal weight condition has to be less than 25 kg/M2 whereas the value of body fat percentage for the normal body should be between 25 to 31% for women and 18 to 25% for men.
- Details
BMI provides you with a less detailed measurement whereas body fat percentage provides you with a more detailed measurement.
- Cost
Last but not least one of the major differences between BMI and body fat percentage is in their cost. BMI is the least expensive and easiest way to measure fitness whereas body fat percentage is difficult to measure.
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The bottom line
So overall BMI or body mass index is the ratio between the weight and height of an individual and it helps to differentiate between normal weight, overweight, and obesity. On the other hand, body fat percentage is the percentage of the value that is calculated from the total fat divided by the body weight and it provides the entire amount of fat in the body in comparison to muscle amount. This is the reason body fat percentage provides a more detailed measurement in comparison to BMI. So the main difference between BMI and body fat percentage lies in the type of measurement and its importance.
Conclusion
We Hope this blog is sufficient enough to provide the information about Difference Between BMI and Body Fat. Thanks for reading this blog.