In my BKI #4 I decided to compare 2 methods for fat % calculation. The fat caliper, using the Jackson/Pollock 3 (J/P3) formula and the Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA), using a personal scale.
Looking at my results, I see a difference of 3.77 between the 2 methods… How can that be?
The fact is, all methods give different results. For example, BIA won’t be accurate for pregnant women. The fat caliper work best for lean people. The way measurement is done can also bring errors. The fat caliper is a bit more technical and it’s easier to have false readings.
In the end, the way I see it, exactitude is not the point. I’m not really interested in knowing what is my absolute fat %. What is of interest are variations.
When I calculate my fat %, if I end up with a lower value, then I’m happy. What is important to me is the trend, not the actual value.
I use 2 methods only because I have a personal interest in doing so. At some future time, I will probably stop one. If I was to choose 1 method now, I would probably go with BIA. It’s fast and as easy as standing on any regular personal scale.
Until next post, Lift Consciously 