The final number is the percentage of your body fat. Subtract that number from 64 for a man or 76 for a woman. Divide your height by your waist measurement and then multiply by 20. Measure your height and waist circumference, just above your hip bones, in inches. The relative fat mass (RFM) focuses on your height and waist measurement to determine if you're carrying an unhealthy amount of fat. Too much fat around your waistline can affect your heart and other organs. Instead of focusing on your weight, you can measure your way to a healthier life with a simple measuring tape. In addition, extreme diets put all the focus on food and increase the hormones that make you feel hungry – a lose-lose proposition. The calories that you take in are used more efficiently so your body can store any excess as additional fat. While often touted as quick weight-loss plans, the reality is that your body goes into starvation mode. BMI incorrectly reflects the ratio of body fat in up to 60 percent of women and 13 percent of men because it doesn't distinguish between their fat and nonfat mass.įocusing on the numbers on your scale also encourages a variety of unhealthy eating habits, from fasting to extremely low-calorie diet plans. Because muscle weighs more than fat, you may weigh as much or more than someone of the same size but carry less unhealthy fat on your body. The BMI measurements, however, are a less-than-adequate measure for athletes, body builders and naturally muscular body types. Height plus weight equals your body mass index (BMI), which is often used as a measure to determine obesity or whether you are overweight.