Measuring body fat is the process of determining the proportion of fat to lean mass in the human body. Body fat is essential for human health, providing insulation, energy storage, and cushioning for organs. However, excessive body fat can increase the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.
There are a number of different methods for measuring body fat. One common method is skinfold calipers, which measure the thickness of skin and fat at several sites on the body. Another method is bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), which measures the resistance of the body to an electrical current. BIA is a quick and non-invasive method, but it can be less accurate than skinfold calipers.