The first measurement is called BIOELECTRICAL IMPEDANCE which measures the body's resistance to electrical flow and determines the percentage of body fat and lean body mass based on that resistance.

SKINFOLD is the second form of analysis that I use. At PRESCRIPTION: HEALTH I use the Lane Skinfold Calipers which are considered top of the line by most fitness industries. The calipers measure skinfold thickness at standardized sites and the measurements, added together, are then compared to tables of body fat percentages.

The last measurement that I use is CIRCUMFERENCE MEASUREMENTS. Measurements are converted to a constant provided in a table in the book Nutrition, Exercise and Health (1993,) and then plugged into a formula. The sum equals the percentage of body fat. The percentage of body fat is then put into another formula. This sum yields the percentage of lean body mass.

I calculate BODY MASS INDEX and WAIST TO HIP RATIO to identify clients who are at risk for developing health complications associated with abnormal measurements. Both measurements are highly correlated with health risks associated with excess body fat.

In addition to the measurements and calculations for body fat and lean body mass, I also determine the amount of calories needed to gain, maintain or lose weight and how many calories that will be necessary to expend through exercise.

My comprehensive consultation includes an analysis of body type and frame with an emphasis on size as opposed to weight in pounds. It is important to realize that body type and frame dictates weight in pounds, not the tables for norms on weight for a given height. Too much emphasis on what the scales read can be self defeating. Many people fluctuate 3-5 pounds weekly.  Stepping on the scales too often or focusing only on weight loss can discourage and increase the likelihood of failure. Many times it is best to concentrate on how your clothes are fitting and circumference measurements. Fat takes up more space than muscle and muscle weighs more than fat. As the body's composition changes from fat to muscle, you may lose inches but not pounds.

At PRESCRIPTION: HEALTH I want you to be HEALTHY. I focus on reducing inches, which in turn, reduces the risk of developing health complications associated with excess body fat.

To learn more about my nutritional programs check out my NUTRITIONAL EVALUATION AND SUPPORT heart link.