Why is my Body Fat Index high?

[carys220]

Hi, I've just has a test and I've found out my body fat index is slightly high, only 0.6% above normal, but the point is I'm healthy! My weight is 8st7(54kg) which is normal but only 7lbs above underweight, my BMI is 21.1kg/m�, just 1.1 into 'normal' status. So why is my Body Fat Index so high? I walk to the train station and back (just over a mile down and then back up a big hill) I go to the gym at least twice a week and regularly go bike riding. I'm vegetarian(I don't eat any meat or fish) and I thought I ate pretty healthily(plenty of fruit of veg).

Can anyone tell me why it's high and how I can lower it?

Thanks
Carys

[alijangra]

It is most likely due to you being female, and we typically store fat more easily than men do. Why worry about being 0.6% over? You wouldnt even notice that if you lost it.

[Goodsoulette]

Was it scales that measuered your body fat index the only good way of gauging it is with callipers.

[grasscarp]

Dont know why you think this is high. 25+ as a BMI is overweight and 30+ is obese. 21 is on the low side if anything.

[Ethel]

How has your body fat been measured? Those electronic devices that you either hold or stand on are notoriously unreliable.

The BMI which involves calculating your weight and height is an absolute nonsense because it does not take into account muscle mass - a sixteen stone, beer guzzling slob has far more body fat than a sixteen stone world class rugby player, even though they are the same height and weight.

The only reliable way to measure body fat is by a trained practitiotener using calipers to physical grab your body fat.

And 0.6% is nothing.

[carys220]

It was machine that told me. It's just a bit annoying that my BMI is low and my BFI is high(ish). I'm not complaining about it - I love my body, I just wanted to know why!

[cruella]

I agree with grascarp. over 25 is high. 21 I would think is just about right.

[carys220]

My BMI is 21.1, my BFI is 24.6%, I know my BMI is right if not low, I'm askinging about my BFI.

[carys220]

My BMI is 21.1, my BFI is 24.6%, I know my BMI is right if not low, I'm asking about my BFI.

[lemonsorbet]

Well my BMI is 18.5 (so almost underweight) and my bodyfat is 23.6%!! (i'm 1m77 and 58kg). BMI on its own is stupid though, because it doesnt take into consideration your body fat %!

yours sounds fine, and women are meant to have higher levels of fat!