PHED 1010 Assessing Body Composition

/in /by


Lab Activity 6

Name:

Body Mass Index (BMI):
Note: BMI is an admittedly limited measurement that does not take all body factors into
account, most notably muscle mass. However, that does not mean it does not have value in
assessing overall health because it is still fairly accurate for the vast majority of the
population and should not be dismissed as a useful initial assessment.

Equipment

  • Weight scale and tape measure or other means of measuring height
  • Calculator

Calculating BMI

  1. Measure your height and weight, and record the results. Be sure to record the unit of
    measurement.

Height: (inches) Weight: (lbs.)

  1. Convert your body weight to kilograms by DIVIDING your weight in pounds by 2.2.

Body weight lbs. ÷ 2.2 lb./kg = body weight kg

  1. Convert your height measurement to meters by MULTIPLYING your height in inches
    by 0.0254.

Height in. X 0.0254 m/in. = height m

  1. Square your height measurement.

Height m X height m = height m

  1. BMI equals body weight in kilograms DIVIDED by height in meters squared (kg/m
    2
    )

Body weight kg ÷ height m
2

Waist Circumference and Waist-to-Hip Ratio:

Equipment

  • Tape measure and partner to take measurements in Metric (preferred) or English
    units
    2
    = BMI kg/m
    2
  • Wear clothing that does not add significantly to your measurements

Instructions

  • Stand with your feet together and your arms at your sides.
  • Raise your arms only high enough to allow for taking the measurements.
  • Your partner should make sure the tape is horizontal around the entire circumference
    and pulled snugly against your skin. The tape shouldn’t be pulled so tight that is
    causes indentations in your skin.

Record measurements as a DECIMAL to the nearest millimeter (preferred) or onesixteenth of
an
inch.
(NOTE:
1
mm =
0.1
cm
&
1/16
in. =
0.0625
in.)

Waist:
Measure
at
the
smallest
waist
circumference.
If
you
don’t
have
a
natural
waist,

measure
at
the
level
of
your
navel.
Waist
measurement:

Hip: Measure at the largest hip circumference (include largest portion of buttocks). Hip
measurement:

Waist-to-Hip Ratio: You can use any unit of measurement (for example, inches or
centimeters), as long as you’re consistent. Waist-to-hop ratio equals waist measurement
DIVIDED by hip measurement.

Waist-to-Hip Ratio: (waist) ÷ (hip) = (ratio)

Determining Your Risk

The table below indicates the classifications for various BMI values. Using your calculations
above, locate your classification in the table. Indicate your classification in the Using Your
Results of this lab.

BMI (kg/m
2
)
Classification
<18.5
Underweight
18.5 – 24.9
Normal
25.0 – 29.9
Overweight
30.0 – 34.9
Obesity I
35.0 – 39.9
Obesity II
≥40.0
Extreme Obesity

The table below indicates values for waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio above which
the risk of health problems increases significantly. If your measurement or ratio is above
either cutoff point, you are considered to be “High Risk.” Indicate your results in the Using
Your Results of this lab.

Waist Circumference
Waist-to-Hip Ratio
Men
More than 102 cm (40 in.)
More than 0.94
Women
More than 88 cm (35 in.)
More than 0.82

Using Your Results

Value
Classification
BMI
kg/m
2

Underweight
Normal
Overweight
Obesity I
Obesity II
Extreme Obesity
Waist Circumference
in. or cm
High Risk?
YES
NO
Waist-to-Hip Ratio
(ratio)
High Rick?
YES
NO

Are you at all surprised by your ratings for body composition and body fat distribution? Why
or why not?

Are your current ratings in the range for good health?

How can you maintain or improve your current body composition? Provide specific strategy
examples.