There are 3 simple and effective ways to measure body fat:

• Skin-fold caliper test
  
• Underwater weighing
  
• Height and weight cart
  

How to measure body fat by skin-fold caliper
One
of the accurate way to measure body fat is in use at doctors' offices,
sports facilities, health clubs, and gyms all over US. The skin-fold
caliper test attempts to measure the fat which lies directly beneath the
skin. Measurements of this subcutaneous fat are made with a caliper,
usually at three sites on the body - the back of the upper arm, between
the elbow and shoulder, 1 cm below the shoulder-blade, and 3 cm above
the hipbone, on the abdomen.
The measurements are then compared to
an established standard for obesity, or used in a formula to yield an
obesity index. The major drawback to the skin-fold caliper test is the
difficulty in getting reliable measurements. Measurements vary from
technician to technician, and often a technician will obtain different
readings at different times on the same subject.

Underwater weighing
Of
the simplest methods for measuring body fat (potassium 40 whole body
counters, specific gravity tests, and body water measurements), the
specific gravity method is most familiar to sports enthusiasts and
fitness buffs. In this method, the individual is weighed underwater.
Because fat tends to float and muscle, which is more dense, tends to
sink, we can measure the proportion of fat in the body by comparing your
body weight out of water to weight underwater.
Height and body weight charts
Another
way to determine if you are obese or overweight is to compare your body
weight to established standards for height and weight. The height and
weight chart is based on weight in normal clothing, and height in 5 cm
heels for women, and 2.5 cm heels for men. Broadly speaking, being 15-20
percent over desirable weight for your height, frame size, and age is
classified as obesity.
There are several problems in using the height/weight tables to determine if you are overweight or obese:

• In order to use the tables, we must first decide whether we are
  small, medium, or large framed. Human nature being what it is, we tend
  to choose the category which will be the most flattering.
  
• The height and weight tables can be extremely inaccurate if there is
  a high proportion of either fluid or muscle in the body. In other
  words, if you are a very muscular athlete, your weight will be higher
  than the normal range, because muscle weighs more than fat. Similarly,
  if you are suffering from an abnormal accumulation of water in the body,
  your weight will be artificially high. (Women who suffer monthly weight
  gains of 1-2 kilograms are familiar with this syndrome.
  
• When using the tables, it is important to remember that the
  standards are based on figures made available by insurance companies.
  These figures represent the weights at which there were the lowest
  mortality rates, and do not necessarily reflect the weights at which
  individuals enjoy optimal health.
  

While these body
fat measurements are by no means 100 percent accurate, they can be
helpful in giving you an idea of how to determine frame size, percentage
of body fat, and proper weight for your height and age. They're also
fun to use and fun belongs in any eating management program.

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What to Know About Appetite Suppressant Pills


Using appetite suppressants can cut the amount of food you eat
each day by as much as 40%. This helps to bring down the daily calorie
intake, and you do not crave food. Food cravings have been responsible
for the rise in obesity and weight related issues. When people crave for
the wrong foods, they tend to crave the foods all the time. Most people
will crave for foods that have plenty of sugar or salt. These are the
same foods that are full of bad fats and calories. People use appetite
suppressant pills to change their eating habits, in trying to lose
weight.
They help to retrain peoples' eating habits, and hereby
reducing the amount of food they eat. Most people who use the pills say
that within a couple of weeks or months, they find themselves eating
smaller portions of food, and feeling full faster. This helps to control
the appetite. Trying to control food cravings or abstaining from
snacking is very difficult, which is why most people benefit from taking
an appetite suppressant.

With the number of products available in
stores, it is important to look for the most effective and safe
appetite suppressant pills. Carrying out research is very important,
before purchasing any products. People have lost their lives or have
ended up with life long health complications because of using pills that
were dangerous. Many of the products that are readily available in the
market have not undergone any clinical trials and are thus not safe to
use. Many people who have fallen for false ads have ended up with pills
that simply do not work. Others have ended up ruining their health
permanently.

The availability of the internet has meant that there
are more pills available for anyone who wants them. Many online sites
sell appetite suppressants but not all of them sell good or safe
products. Many unscrupulous people are using the internet to sell
products that are sub-standard and even harmful. When buying any kind of
pills, it is always important to make sure that they are manufactured
by reputable companies. The pills should have passed safety tests and
should be FDA approved. A large number of appetite suppressants have
been taken off the shelves after failing safety tests. Sadly, most of
them are still available online. Most of them have harmful and even
potential fatal side effects.
Before using any suppressant pills,
it is important to consult a doctor. The doctor will be able to run
tests and recommend the best drugs. People with existing medical
conditions should never take any drugs without first consulting their
doctors. Pregnant and nursing mothers should never take appetite
suppressants.



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