# Most accurate way to measure bodyfat? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 6, 2003, 7:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-accurate-way-to-measure-bodyfat/199903 "2003-09-06T07:25:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![commie\_sho](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/db5fbb/32.png) [@commie\_sho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commie_sho)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2003, 7:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-accurate-way-to-measure-bodyfat/199903/1 "2003-09-06T07:25:18Z")
Hi, I’m about to join the military, but I’ve had to diet and excercise the past two months because my bodyfat was too high for the army standards. The army requires men in my age bracket to be under 24% bodyfat, and when I first started working with my recruiter I was at 31%, but after working hard I am now at 26%. What are the most accurate ways of measuring bodyfat? My recruiter measures my neck, height, weight, and waist size, and inputs them into his laptop to come up with a percentage. The scale at home has two pads that send an electric current into the body from one foot and out the other, but this is hugely effected by how much water I’ve drunk, because it is a conductor maybe? Calipers have to be used by an expert. I think there is also a method using water displacement. So which is the most accurate? Also any killer techniques other than “eat less, excercise more” would be awesome too. ---
**Author:** ![Agback](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/977dab/32.png) [@Agback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agback)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2003, 7:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-accurate-way-to-measure-bodyfat/199903/2 "2003-09-06T07:41:04Z")
G’day The most accurate measure is the one involving water displacement. Next most accurate is the test using calipers and tables. The method with the electric current seems to have a large variation from minute to minute when I use it, so it can’t be very precise. And the method with the tape measure and tables produces in my case measures that are significantly higher than all the other methods, so it can’t be very accurate (at least for people with abnormal proportions, such as myself). I had spectacular success in dropping weight by switching to a low-carbohydrate diet. In to weeks I dropped 9 kg (20 pounds), of which I figure that 7kg was water and 2 kg was actual fat. (This is not to say that I became dehydrated: I was drinking five pints of water, a pint of milk, and two pints of coffee per day. Rather, my high-carbohydrate diet had been making me retain fluid in an unhealthy way). But anyway, the inaccuracy of the method using the tape measure and tables is such that it reported all of this weight loss as loss of fat: my calculated fat percentage fell from 32% to 29% in fourteen days, without any increase in my rate of exercise and without my feeling the least bit hungry. Regards, Agback ---
**Author:** ![iamamoocher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b4bc9f/32.png) [@iamamoocher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamamoocher)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2003, 7:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-accurate-way-to-measure-bodyfat/199903/3 "2003-09-06T07:55:10Z")
well, I’ve done diet studies with the USDA and they use dual-absorbance X-ray to determine body fat. I was just a research subject, but the researchers claimed it was the most accurate way to measure body fat. Much more accurate than calipers, or even a water tank, according to them. I had to lay down a on a scanning table and get zoomed by by a X-ray scanner. Supposedly, fat and muscle absorb? X-rays differently given your body mass and they have software that can compute your body fat given your dimensions. At risk of starting another diet thread, the only proven way to burn fat and lose weight is to expend more calories than you take in. ---
**Author:** ![drillrod](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@drillrod](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drillrod)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2003, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-accurate-way-to-measure-bodyfat/199903/4 "2003-09-06T13:29:32Z")
Although not specifically addressing the question, here’s an Army NCO (and former Drill Sergeant’s) $.02: From the US Army’s point of view, any other techniques of measuring body fat are irrelevant. [Army Regulation 600-9](http://www.usapa.army.mil/pdffiles/r600_9.pdf) (warning: pdf file) only allows the tape test as an assessment of body fat. There are a few reasons for this: it’s simple, can be done with a minimum of training and equipment and can be done anywhere/anytime. There have been may cases of soldiers disputing the results of the tape test, paying for other tests and being discharged for weight anyway. We just have to learn to live within the regulation, whether we like it or not. Personally and professionall I dislike and disagree with lots the detail of the Army’s weight control policies. Good luck with your weight loss goals. Hopefully you’ll make your goals soon an get on your way. p.s. What MOS are you considering? -Drillrod ---
**Author:** ![drillrod](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@drillrod](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drillrod)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2003, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-accurate-way-to-measure-bodyfat/199903/5 "2003-09-06T13:35:04Z")
Wow I really need more coffee. Apparently I can’t type this early in the morning. BTW, the link I included includes the instructions and charts for doing the tape test so you could do it yourself to keep track of your progress. ---
**Author:** ![kferr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/71e660/32.png) [@kferr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kferr)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2003, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-accurate-way-to-measure-bodyfat/199903/6 "2003-09-06T15:04:10Z")
I did the Army method and came up with 21%, but my Tanita impedance method scale ranges between 15% and 17%, depending on time of day. Not bad for a 41 year old! I kinda see how the Army method works. Men store fat in the spare tyre area but not much on the neck. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2003, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-accurate-way-to-measure-bodyfat/199903/7 "2003-09-06T17:47:31Z")
For men the best method is to jump out of the shower and after toweling off, to immediately slap out a loud and hearty rendition of “Who lives in a pineapple under the sea?” on their belly while singing along. Calculate 2% percent body fat for every 1/10 of a second the belly keeps moving after the song is over. ---
**Author:** ![commie\_sho](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/db5fbb/32.png) [@commie\_sho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commie_sho)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2003, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-accurate-way-to-measure-bodyfat/199903/8 "2003-09-06T21:43:10Z")
Kferr: I have a Tanita too, and you can change the percentage radically by just drinking a few glasses of water. It gave me the same percentage as the army’s method when I did it within an hour of my recruiter checking me, but early in the morning I think it’s useless, especially if you haven’t drank any water since you’ve been sleeping. The best way to use it is to measure at the same time every day under the same water-intake conditions, from what I’ve found. Drillrod: Thanks for the link! I would like to have MOS 98C, but I might change if I have to wait too long once I go to the MEPS and pass my physical (I really, really need to get out of my mom’s house). I would like to know more about a few specifics of the MOS but my recruiter doesn’t know a whole lot and [goarmy.com](http://goarmy.com)’s MOS descriptions crash my browser. Maybe we could talk through email? My email address is [airthrowsd@yahoo.com](mailto:airthrowsd@yahoo.com). ---
**Author:** ![commie\_sho](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/db5fbb/32.png) [@commie\_sho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commie_sho)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2003, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-accurate-way-to-measure-bodyfat/199903/9 "2003-09-06T21:46:35Z")
Agback: Yeah, I did a custom-Atkins type low carb diet for a while with excellent results, I lost around 10-15 pounds on it. What I found most amazing was that since my sugar level was constant from the lack of carbs, that I never really felt ravenously hungry like I do when I eat breads. Now I am on a Weightwatchers diet, but it isn’t going very good for me, I excercise pretty good every day and eat within my point range, but I am losing at an incredibly slow weight. ---
**Author:** ![Padeye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@Padeye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Padeye)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2003, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-accurate-way-to-measure-bodyfat/199903/10 "2003-09-06T23:23:40Z")
Render, skim and weigh. Oh, you probably wanted non-destructive testing. Carry on. ---
**Author:** ![drillrod](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@drillrod](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drillrod)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2003, 11:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-accurate-way-to-measure-bodyfat/199903/11 "2003-09-07T11:56:04Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by commie\_sho \* > \*\*Drillrod: Thanks for the link! I would like to have MOS 98C, but I might change if I have to wait too long once I go to the MEPS and pass my physical (I really, really need to get out of my mom’s house). I would like to know more about a few specifics of the MOS but my recruiter doesn’t know a whole lot and [goarmy.com](http://goarmy.com)’s MOS descriptions crash my browser. Maybe we could talk through email? My email address is [airthrowsd@yahoo.com](mailto:airthrowsd@yahoo.com). \*\* **Sho** , 98C is a pretty good MOS. I’m a 98G linguist and work very closely with Charlies. If you qualify for 98C, then you may also qualify for 98G, which I personally feel is a better MOS and overall deal for a recruit, YMMV. Feel free to e-mail me at [drillrod@earthlink.net](mailto:drillrod@earthlink.net). I can probably answer most of the questions you have about the training and duties. ---
**Author:** ![Horseflesh](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horseflesh/32/7502_2.png) [@Horseflesh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horseflesh)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2003, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-accurate-way-to-measure-bodyfat/199903/12 "2003-09-07T20:59:23Z")
In case your recruiter didn’t let you read up on the 98C MOS, check out [DA PAM 600-25 U.S. Army NCO Professional Development Guide](http://www.usapa.army.mil/pdffiles/p600_25.pdf) (pg 338 in the pdf, pg 324 in the guide) and [DA PAM 611-21 Military Occupational Classifaction and Structure](http://www.usapa.army.mil/pdffiles/p611_21.pdf) (pg 375 in the pdf, pg 359 in the guide). Pay particular attention to 10-280b 1-13. These are the requirements you must meet in order to qualify for the MOS provided that there are indeed openings. I’d also highly recommend talking to people that have held that MOS or a similar one (such as **drillrod** ). Often they can offer insights into what you’ll _really_ be getting into. The Army offers everyone an unique experience; some get a lot out of it and become lifers, others are incompatible. A lot of it depends on your attitude towards authority going in. Good luck.