BODY RATIO CALCULATOR

What the heck is this thing and how do you use it? A lot of people worry about their measurements and how their body looks and if they're "abnormal" or whatever. As an artist, I can assure you that the SCALE (measurement in inches) isn't as important as the RATIO (i.e., "Proportions") of a person's body. Granted an exceptionally large or small statured person will be noticed quite readily, but for the bulk of us out there in the real world it is PROPORTION, not SIZE that matters. People tend to notice if something is out of proportion before they notice if something is out of scale - especially with the human body.

What this calculator does is takes your measurements in pounds and inches. It then standardizes them as a ratio against your height. These ratios can then be compared to the averages for the male and female American population. Take note of the trends of the numbers, for some the ratio increases for women as it decreases for men, and for other proportions the ratios are reversed. The ranges shown in the table are the averages for about 70% of the population.

Once you've typed numbers into the boxes, you can change them and hit the "Submit" button again to recalculate without re-entering all the data.

NOTES

Height: The height usually used to determine sizing charts for mens' clothing is 70" (5 foot 10 inches). I don't know what the standard for women's sizes is. These averages were based off of measurements of American men and women. Anthrometrics (measurements of human beings) vary greatly not only from individual to individual, but also from nation to nation and ethnic groups to ethnic group. The "average" heights are only included here because the ratios of all other measurements have to be against SOME standard, and in this case that standard is the individual's height.

BMI: Stands for "Body Mass Index." This calculator does not take into account your activity level. If you are athletic your Body Mass Index number will naturally be on the low side. The "Fat" analysis is calculated by comparing the BMI number to a range and generates a "Lean," "Healthy," "Overfat," or "Obese" message. Don't put too much stock in it (or be insulted by it) - it's a big time generalization. If you're worried about it, see a doctor and have a REAL Body Fat Analysis done. BMI does NOT take into account the amount of Lean Body Mass you have. It is purely based on a height to weight ratio adjusted up or down 10% depending on "frame size" (which theoretically compensates for being heavier or lighter based off the weight of your skeleton, but still does not account for lean tissue like muscle or organs).

BMI Ideal Body Weight: This number is +/- 5 lbs. and is already adjusted up or down 10% for frame size.

Body Fat Percentage: Based off of your age, sex, and selected fat measurements this calculator attempts to estimate what percentage of your total body weight is composed of lean or fat mass. It then generates an evaluation:

• "Risky: Too Low" - means you have a dangerously low fat stores on your body
• "Essential"- meaning you are maintaining just enough fat for your body's needs.
• "Athletic" which is the leaner body mass associated with an athletic lifestyle.
• "Fit" - which is the mid-range amount of fat for someone who stays in shape.
• "Ideal" - which means you have the supposed "ideal" fat content on your body to remain fit.
• "Acceptable" - is the amount of fat that is found on less active people but poses no health risks.
• "Obese"- refers to a person with fat stores that are considered unhealthy and may place the individual at risk.

Implications for Weight Loss:

If you are planning to lose weight you are talking about losing FAT. The BMI analysis is simple to calculate and is quite popular, but many people also complain that it tells people they are obese when they are not - especially if a person is muscular (since muscle weighs more than fat, but the BMI doesn't take the composition of the weight into account). A certain amount of fat on the body is required for it to function properly. This is referred to as the "Essential" fat stores, which are between 2-4% of total body mass for men and 10-12% for women. If your fat stores are lower than the "Essential" threshhold you run the risk of serious health problems as your body begins burning Lean Mass (like muscle and bone) for energy!

For example: Let's say a 130 poundwoman with 23% body fat, and the goal is to "lose 20 pounds." Initial body fat: 130 pounds x 0.23 fat = 30 pounds body fat. Lean body mass: 130 pounds total - 30 pounds fat = 100 pounds lean body mass (bones, organs and all else) Goal: 130 pounds - 20 pounds = 110 pounds As you can see, the goal of losing 20 pounds is not realistic or healthy. At 110 pounds, this woman still requires 100 pounds of lean body mass (bones, organs, etc.), but would only be carrying 10 pounds, or only 9% body fat. For a woman, anything below 10% is a dangerously low percentage. A better goal might be for the woman to reduce her body fat from 23% to 18%. In this case: 130 pounds x 0.18 = 23 pounds body fat 100 pounds lean body mass + 23 pounds = 123 pounds goal weight So, for this individual to achieve a lean, but healthy 18% fat, she would need to lose only 7 pounds of fat, reducing her weight from her current 130 pounds to 123 pounds. Losing more than 7 pounds means losing lean body mass (usually metabolically-active muscle tissue), which is clearly not desirable.

Bra Size: Of course, if you are male you may wish to ignore this calculation :-) This is based on sales of bras and does not neccessarily reflect the ACTUAL breast size of women in America. Roughly 44% of women are "B" cups and 28% are "C" cups. There are three sizes listed as results:

1. If you like a tighter band and more room in the cups, try this size bra.
2. This is the "correct" size for your measurements. But you may not find it the most comfortable and you may prefer a size up or down from it.
3. If you light a looser band and tighter cups, try this size bra.

Note: Bra band sizes are always an even number! That is why there is a 2 inch difference between each listed size.

The calculation is actually rather simple. Measure around your ribcage under your breasts. If the number is less than or equal to 33 add 5, if it is more than 33 add 3. Round up to the next even number. This is your BAND SIZE. Now measure around the fullest part of the breasts and subtract the band size from that. The difference will determine the CUP SIZE. The chart used by the calculator for sizing is as follows:

Waist to Hip Ratio: This number is used to help determine WHERE your fat stores are - in the stomach area or on the thighs and hips. What are listed are the "ideal" Waist to Hip ratios, not the most common ones. Most American men have a WH Ratio of 1.0 or more and most women have a Waist to Hip Ratio of 7.5-8.0. The "ideal" number shown is considered the most "aestheticly pleasing."

Average Shoe Size: These are sizes standardized for American WOMENS shoes. Sizing systems for men and other countries are different. It only represents an approximation based on 10" = womens size 9. Sizes are incremented up or down in half sizes for every .1875" difference. If you indicated you are male it will automatically adjust the calculation down by 1/2 size, so the size shown is NOT a women's shoe size unless you indicated you are female.

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Source of Antropometric data: MIL-STD-1472D HUMAN ENGINEERING DESIGN CRITERIA FOR MILITARY SYSTEMS, EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES.