There are formulas out there that provide body fat estimates:
http://www.healthstatus.com/calculate/bfb 

You can compare you BMI with this. It seems pretty accurate - I have had
test with calipers and compared it to the results of the formula. The
YMCA formula is lower that the navy formula. 

BMI should not be used with certain athletes (notably weight lifters).

Cheri 

**********************
Cheri A. Budzynski, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Psychology
Heidelberg College
310. E. Market Street
Tiffin, Ohio 44883
(419) 448-2000  ext. 2251
(419) 893-1986 ext. 4005


-----Original Message-----
From: G. Marc Turner [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] 
Sent: Thursday, November 20, 2003 12:23 PM
To: Teaching in the Psychological Sciences
Subject: RE: weight vs mass


At 10:28 AM 11/20/2003 -0600, you wrote:
>Given the popularity of the BMI, I wouldn't be surprised to hear 
>someone
>say they are trying to reduce body mass. However, given that their
height 
>is likely to remain the same, that would be the same as saying they
wanted 
>to lose weight.

Actually, weight is determined in part by the force of gravity pulling
on 
an object's mass. The force of gravity lessens the further the object is

moved away from the center of a rotating objects. That's why things are 
"weightless" in space. They still have mass, but without the pull of 
gravity, there is no weight. So, technically speaking, when we diet we
are 
trying to loose body mass, not by changing our height but by changing
other 
body dimensions (ie, our waist line). [Side note: Okay, how many pet
peeves 
about writing were in that last sentence? I used at least 4 of my own
pet 
peeves I think.]

- Marc



=============================================
G. Marc Turner, MEd, Network+, MCP
Instructor & Head of Computer Operations
Department of Psychology
Texas State University-San Marcos
San Marcos, TX  78666
phone: (512)245-2526
email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]


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