REVISED BODY COMPOSITION LAB

Name: AISSATOU BARRY

Directions: Please answer questions and complete lab report on this Word document and upload back
into Blackboard. Please save the file as “YOUR NAME BODY COMP LAB.docx”. Note there are several
parts to this lab and online videos to watch. Please save the excel file with your data calculations and
graphs as your name body comp data.xlsx and upload into Blackboard.

Requirements:
1. Read the entire lab
2. Read Chapter 16 of our textbook
3. Complete Part 1 and Part 2 with your data, and submit in this lab. Look up a category or ranking.
4. Complete Part 3 with pretend underwater weighing data and submit in this lab.
5. Complete Part 4b with pretend skin fold data. Calculate an average skin fold then complete equation
calculations and submit in this lab.
6. Complete Part 5 attached data for percent body fat using BIA technique. Complete calculations and
graphs in excel and submit the excel file along with this lab report.
7. Complete Part 6 which is your written lab report.

INTRODUCTION

It is easy to divide the body into two categories of tissue: lean tissue and fat tissue. Lean tissue is
comprised of muscle, bone, skin, organs, blood, etc., while fat tissue is composed of fat (whoa, surprised
ya there!). Please do not hold the stereotype that fat is “bad tissue to have”, as fat has some very
essential roles in our bodies (such as cushioning, insulation, as an energy source and as a critical
component of cell membranes and nervous tissue). Do not be fooled however into thinking that fat is
great. Excess body fat has been linked with cardiovascular disease, strokes, adult-onset diabetes, colon
cancer, arthritis, etc.

The absolute best method to determine your body composition is very final - it involves cutting you open
to directly measure the amount of fat in your body. Not surprisingly, this is not considered an acceptable
technique. Therefore, any other techniques used measure body composition indirectly.

A long-time “gold standard” for estimating body composition is called hydrostatic weighing (commonly
referred to as underwater weighing). An individual’s water weight will usually be <10% of their dry
weight. The greater the water weight, the leaner the person will be calculated to be (since fat tissue is
more buoyant than lean tissue). Since hydrostatic weighing has numerous drawbacks (time,
mathematical calculations, hygiene, etc.), it is rarely a practical alternative. In more recent years, air
displacement plethysmography (COSMED’s BOD POD is the most popular brand) has begun to replace
hydrostatic weighing. However, due to their cost, they are not readily available to most health
professionals. We are fortunate to have a BOD POD at the Student Life Center.
There are other measurements, which to us have their advantages. The waist-to-hip ratio is a good
indicator of cardiovascular risk, since fat stored in the abdominal area is easily mobilized, leading to
coronary artery disease. The more fat that is stored in the abdominal area, the greater the waist to hip
ratio.

Skinfolds are a great way to measure the subcutaneous fat stored by the body. For skin fold
measurement, a wide variety of formulas exist with which to estimate percent body fat. Be careful not
to become attached to a certain formula; each is very specific to a certain population. Rather, keeping
track of actual skinfold thickness is a more internally valid way to measure changes in body composition.

A final note: body composition is a very sensitive issue for most individuals. You need to have maturity
and sensitivity when dealing with this issue. Be sure to keep results confidential and avoid making any
judgments on your subjects.

BIOELETRICAL IMPEDANCE
WHAT IS IT? BIA is a technique to estimate body composition based on electrical conductivity of various
tissues.

WHAT IS IMPEDANCE? Impedance is a measure of how current is slowed or stopped as it passes through
a material. It has two components: Resistance (R) and Reactance (Xc). Resistance is the measure of the
amount of electrical current a substance will stop. Impedance is greatest in fat tissues, which contains
only 10-20% water, while fat-free mass, which contains 70-75% water, allows the signal to pass much
easier.

HOW DOES IT WORK? Simply explained, BIA measures the impedance or resistance to the signal as it
travels through the water found in muscle and fat. The more muscle a person has the more water their
body can hold. The greater the amount of water in a person's body, the easier it is for the current to
pass through it. The greater the amount of fat in the body the more resistance there is to the current.
BIA is safe and it does not hurt.

Calculations for MALES:

7-Site Formula: (S7 = sum of all seven sites)

Body Density = 1.112 — (.00043499)(S7) + (.00000055)(S7) 2 — (.00028826) (age)
% Fat = (495/Body Density) - 450

4-Site Formula (abdomen, suprailiac, thigh, tricep): (e.g. S4=sum of all four sites)

% Fat = (0.29288)(S4) — (0.0005)(S4)2 + (0.15845)(age) — 5.76377  

 
Use 3-ste for our lab
3-Site Formula (abdomen, suprailiac, thigh): (e.g. S3=sum of all three sites)

% Fat = (.39287)(S3) — (.00105)(S3)2 + (.15772)(age) — 5.18845

 
2-Site Formula (abdomen, thigh)
*This is probably only accurate with trained athletes!
% Fat = (S2)/2

  Calculations for FEMALES

7-Site Formula: (e.g. S7 = sum of all seven sites)
Body Density = 1.0970 — (.00046971)(S7) + (.00000056)(S7) 2 — (.00012828) (age)
% Fat = (495/Body Density) - 450

4-Site Formula (abdomen, suprailiac, thigh, tricep): (e.g. S4=sum of all four sites)

% Fat = (0.29669)(S4) — (0.00043)(S4)2 + (0.02963)(age) + 1.40 72

 
Use 3 site for our lab
3-Site Formula (abdomen, suprailiac, tricep): (e.g. S3=sum of all three sites)

% Fat = (.41563)(S3) — (.00112)(S3)2 + (.03661)(age) + 4.03653

 
2-Site Formula (abdomen, thigh)
*This is probably only accurate with trained athletes!
% Fat = (S2)/2

BODY COMPOSITION DATA SHEET

1. Waist-to-Hip Ratio: measure the circumference of the body at the level of the umbilicus (the waist),
and at the level of the greatest circumference around the pelvis (hips). Divide the waist score by the hip
score to determine the ratio. Compare to norm charts. Take your own measurements and enter here.
Find a tape measure at home or a string and simply measure the length of the string

Waist Circumference: ___30_____ Hip Circumference: ____38______

Waist-to-Hip Ratio: ___0.78_______ Category: ____low risk______

2. Body Mass Index (BMI): measure your height and weight (without shoes). Be sure that
measurements are done in the SI (metric) system. Calculate BMI and compare to norm charts.

BMI = weight (in kg) / [height (in meters)2] 81.2 kg / 1.71 m= 47.49

BMI: ___47.49_______ Category: ___Overweight_______

3. Hydrostatic Weighing: _____26.6______ %

a. Watch YouTube video about Hydrostatic Weighting Test Video

b. Calculations of pretend data

Given Data
Dry Weight: 200 lbs
Average of 10 Submerged weights: 5lbs
Age: 23
Height: 74 inches
Water Temperature: 25 degrees Celsius

Complete the Math and make space below and type out all work for hydrostatic weighing using the
equations and data above.
Your Math here:

(0.009 * 23) + (0.032 * 187.96) – 3.90 = 2.32 RV (L)

200lbs / (200lbs – 5lbs / 0.997074) – (2.32 + .1) = 1.038608575 (body density)
495 / 1.038608575 – 450 = 26.59918464
26.6%= answer

4. Skin fold Sites (all performed on the right side of the body):
 a. Skinfold site explanations. See exrx.net for good pictures and explanations. Watch skin fold
video here.

*Abdomen = a vertical fold taken 2 cm lateral to the umbilicus.

Chest = a diagonal fold taken in line with the anterior axillary crease and the nipple. Should be half of the
distance from the anterior axillary crease and the nipple for men, 1/3 of the distance for women.

Midaxillary = a vertical fold taken at the intersection of lines drawn vertically form the anterior axillary
crease and horizontally from the xyphoid process

Subscapular = a diagonal fold taken parallel to the inferior angle of the scapula. The inferior angle of the
scapula is often found by having the subject place their right hand behind their back.

*Suprailiac = a diagonal fold taken above the iliac crest, in the midaxillary line (there is usually a natural
fold here).

*Thigh = a vertical fold taken at the midpoint between the inguinal crease and the proximal border of
the patella. Usually, having the subject stand with the right leg on a chair makes the site identification
easier).

*Tricep = a vertical fold taken at the midpoint of the acromion process and the olecranon process, with
the arm relaxed. Often, having the arm in the ‘karate-chop’ position makes olecranon process
identification easier.

b. Percent body fat calculation using pretend data

Measurements 1 (mm) 2 (mm) 3 (mm) Average (mm)

Abdominal 20 22 19 20.33
Suprailiac 16 18 15 16.33
Thigh 12 10 11
11
Tricep 8 9 10 9

** Be sure to use the correct equation (Male/Female) and SHOW YOUR WORK WITH PROPER UNITS!!

20.33 + 16.33 + 11 + 9 = 56.6 /4 = 15.2

(.41563)(15.2) – (0.00112)(14.15)^2 + (0.03661)(21 my age) + 4.03653 =10.9

3-SITE CALCULATION: _______11___________% BF

5. Compare male and female body fat (%), fat mass (kg) and fat free mass in kg (also known as Lean
body mass) from attached data. Data were collected from another class using handheld BIA method.
Watch video.

a. Using the attached data sheet, calculate using Excel commands the body weight in kg (convert),
the fat free mass (kg) and the fat mass (kg) of each subjects.
b. Then, using Excel commands, calculate an average for the females and an average for the
males.
c. Then, using Excel commands, calculate a standard deviation (stdev) for the females and an
standard deviation (stdev) for the males.
d. Make a bar graph with average male and average female +- stdev for percent body fat (%)
e. Make another bar graph with average male and average female +- stdev for fat free mass (kg)

6. Your lab report here. Write this portion of the lab report ONLY for the BIA technique and percent
body fat of college age males and females using the attached data set.

Title
Introduction
Background
Hypothesis, Purpose statement
Materials
Procedure
Results, table of average values, two bar graphs. Cut and paste here.
Discussion and Reflection
 Body Composition

Aissatou Barry
June 19, 2020
Summer 2020 Exercise Physiology
Introduction:
 Bio-electrical Impedance or Bio-impedance Analysis (BIA) is a procedure that determines your

body composition; it relates the measurement of both lean body mass and body fat. This method goes

hand in hand with everyday health and nutrition. This method is established on electrical conductivity of

various tissues. Impedance is explained as a measure of current can be slowed or stopped when it passes

through a material and the two components are resistance (R) and reactance (XC). Body composition

helps us understand what the body is made up of, and that may consist of body water, fats, minerals and

proteins. Body composition can lead to modifications in muscle mass, body fat percentage and fat mass.

Fat tissues contain about 10-20% of water and the leftover 70 to 75% of water is the fat-free mass. This

makes it easier for the electrical conductivity in fat tissues to pass through. This is important to the

general population because staying fit and healthy should be priority to one’s body. Knowing the

percentage of body fat and the weight that is considered for healthy oneself is important especially when

wanting to avoid healthy problems and being active. BIA is extra important in physical education because

educators are teaching their students how to measure their body mass index (BMI), take weight and height

and calculate their body fat percentage to help one stay fit and healthy. School is the stepping stone for

students to learn this information and take it on with them for the rest of their lives.

Purpose, Background:

The purpose of this lab is to figure out the body fat percentage, lean body mass and fat free mass

of an individual’s body and the average of the whole class together. Everyone’s body composition is

different and in order to figure that out, data must be collected and analyzed and then calculated. That

data is gender, age, body weight, waist-to-hip ratio, body mass index and the skin-fold test. All of this

data leads to a person’s lean body mass, body fat percentage and fat mass. Body fat percentage simply is

the percentage amount of fat that your body stores. Lean body mass consists of the weight of an

individual except the fat. Fat mass strictly complies fat and is the literal weight of fat in the body.

Something that we have learned in class that relates to this lab is fats vs carbohydrates. This relates

because fats and carbs go hand in hand with nutrition which then applies to fitness and body composition.
If a person is maintaining the correct portions of carbs, fats and proteins and is exercising daily, then their

body fat percentage won’t be as high, and vice versa. However, do not forget that everyone has fat in their

body because it is essential.

Hypothesis and Purpose Statement:

Body composition should be tested and analyzed often for oneself. It is important to know how

much fat percentage there is in an individual’s body in order to know where on the healthy range they are.

This lab is going to accomplish students with information pertaining to their body composition. This

information will then be used to compare male and female categories of fat mass. The purpose of this lab

was to learn about body composition and what it consisted of, while also learning about a person’s

individual fat masses.

Materials:

1. Omron Fat Loss Monitor

2. Instruction Manual Chart

3. Knowledge of body weight, sex, height and age.

Procedure:

1. Turn on Omron fat loss monitor and select guest or input information to save into device.

2. Choose normal or athlete mode depending on activity level using the chart on the instruction

manual

3. Then, input height, weight, age and sex into the device.

4. Stand up straight with both feet slightly apart with both palms on the device, making sure that the

thumbs are on top of the device.

5. Hold your arms straight out at 90 degrees

6. Press start and wait for monitor to tell you your body fat%, body mass index and recommended

body fat range.

Data Tables and Graphs:

 Average Female Body Fat Percentage Average Male Body Fat Percentage
20.05 kg 14.91 kg

Average Male/Female and +- Standard

Deviati on of Body Fat Percentage
25

20
% Body Fat

15

10

0
Average Female Stdev Female Average Male Stdev Male
Gender

Average Male/Female and +- Standard

Deviati on of Fat Mass (Kg)
14
nUMBERS iN fAT mASS (KG)

12
10
8
6
4
2
0
Average Female Stdev Female Average Male Stdev Male
Gender

Discussion:
 In order to get accurate numbers, the steps must be followed correctly. Making sure that the

information is put in correctly in the monitor and also standing and positioning your arms out 90 degrees

in front of you helps with accuracy of data. Before body fat percentage can be revealed, body weight and

height should be collected correctly, so that it can be put in the monitor along with age and sex and also

choosing the correct activity level. Once all of this is put into the monitor, it then displays your body fat

percentage and also the recommend body fat percentage that you should be at for you age, height, weight

and gender. This information can then be used in terms of nutrition and workout plans in the future. A

possible error that could error could be a person eating and drinking right before undergoing body

composition. This could alter the numbers collected such as body weight and the results as well. The

numbers in fat can be slightly off and they won’t be receiving correct numbers. This can be corrected in

future labs by warning participants not to eat or drink before collecting data for body composition.

Another possible error can be a person not holding the monitor correctly resulting in data that will be

incorrect for their body. Observing everyone throughout the process of inputting numbers and hold out

devices/stance should be important and can be done in future labs.

The data received explains that each student has a certain body fat percentage and then it also

shows the fat free mass which is the weight of a person besides the fat. It shows that everyone’s body fat

and fat free mass is different because of their body types, and then it is combined together to show the

average of these numbers as a class whole. The data also shows us that females have a higher percentage

of fat in the body compared to men. And that men have more fat free mass then women do. This

information can be used in a Physical Education setting to help students learn and understand their own

bodies and why one gender has more fat then the other, and also standard body fat ranges that are

recommended based on age, gender, height and weight. This can also be used to help students learn how

to portion their meals based on the percent of fat they have. A concern that can pan out would be students

finding out each other’s body composition numbers and using that against each other. Body composition
is a topic that can typically be sensitive because some people aren’t satisfied with their body. Making sure

that students are mature about the matter is very important.

Skinfold test are taken so that fat can be estimated while also finding the distribution of

subcutaneous adipose tissue in the body. Although this is a test that can help with finding estimated body

fat, it is not that accurate. It gives you an estimated number, and there is a possibility that someone else

can use this test on the same person and get different numbers because when the caliper grabs the skin and

pitches it, you have to estimate between a few numbers. Young adults are always worried about their

body image based on societal norms. They can now look on social media, magazines, and videos and see

what the ideal body type should be and look at their own body type and feel that their body isn’t up to par.

Some body image disorders are anorexia, bulimia and binge eating. People who have anorexia fear that

they will become obese and tend to under eat so that they can be underweight. Bulimia consists of eating

and throwing up so that you won’t gain weight as well. Binge eating is overeating in a specific amount of

time even when you are not hungry. All in all, body fat percent is different within everyone and fat is

important to have in the body because we use that fat for so many things.