Determine your target weight
and forget the Body Mass Index (BMI)

When performing the analysis, you can expect the following results:

1. First, your data is checked for plausibility, i.e. extreme values are displayed and values outside the reference system are marked as extrapolated values. It is then up to you to adopt these values or not.
2. You will receive information about your bone structure (light, medium, heavy).
3. Your waist/body size relation is calculated. This information is based on the results of the working group around M. Ashwell (2) and is much more meaningful than the abdominal girth alone. The result is evaluated according to the specifications of this working group.
4. Your reference weight (kg) is determined taking into account gender, height and bone structure and is independent of age. It refers to a standard collective whose scientific basis was developed by Prof. Dahlmann (1). The derivation of all other parameters refers to this value.
5. The differential weight (kg) is determined. It is the difference between actual weight and reference weight and indicates the extent of a possible under- or overweight. In further arithmetic operations, overweight is differentiated into muscular and fat tissue.
6. The information on the muscles weight (kg) indicates the actual added muscle mass, based on your individual reference weight. An interesting value for athletes and bodybuilders, for example.
7. The fat calculator determines your additional body fat (kg), based on your individual reference weight, or comments on a possible underweight.
8. Furthermore, your total body fat percentage (%) is calculated. Classification and comments are based on publications of D. Gallagher (3) and MJ Müller (4).
9. Finally, you will receive information on your target weight (kg). This is determined taking into account gender, body size, bone structure and additional muscle build-up. This value is of particular interest for overweight or obese people who are considering a diet. The existing muscle mass is taken into account.

The calculation and evaluation of the results are based on approximately 90 formulas or algorithms, all of which are evidence-based.

see sample: Personal Data Sheet

Limits of the procedure: If the body weight moves strongly into the upper or lower limit range, the interpretation of the data becomes increasingly fuzzy. The following limitations occur:

1. Below the reference weight a further differentiation between fat tissue and muscles is no longer possible.
2. If the body weight lies even further below the reference weight - namely 6 kg for men and 5 kg for women - then from a medical point of view, it is no longer possible to make a comment ("nc") with regard to the target weight, as it is no longer possible to differentiate between the presence of an illness or sporting ambitions.
3. Conversely, if the body weight rises more and more into the obese range, then the statement about the fat percentage becomes more and more imprecise. The reason for this is the fact that the fat percentage is estimated via the abdominal girth. With increasing adiposity, however, fat deposits also occur on other parts of the body, which are therefore not recorded. This is also the reason, why the target weight is readjusted again and again during the course of a diet, in fact in the range of 1-3 kg.
   Note: No matter which method is used for "body fat measurement", in the end it remains an estimation. Only the analysis of a cadaver would result in a measurement in the physical sense. This also means, for example, that one has to expect larger deviations for the Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA).  J. Krieger (5) reported in this context that some of his test persons have lost body weight and abdominal girth, while BIA has shown an increase in body fat. This strongly corresponds to our own experiences with this technology. However, for the presented method, this phenomenon is not possible.

Ethnic groups: Elaborate methodological studies (4C model) by D. Gallagher et al. (3) on body fat percentage show that there are no significant differences for the same BMI classes in White and African Americans, both for men and women. This does not apply to Asians. These have a higher percentage of fat at a lower BMI. In this respect, measurements on East Asians with a BMI <25 - especially Japanese and Chinese - must currently be placed under reservation.

Literature

1. Dahlmann N, et al. A simple method for determining the ideal weight.Z Morph Anthrop. 1977; 68: 265-74.
2. Ashwell M. Charts based on Body Mass Index and Waist-to-Height Ratio to answer the health risks of obesity: A review. The Open Obesity J. 2011; 3: 78-84.
3. Gallagher D, et al. Healthy percentage body fat ranges: an approach for developing guidelines based on body mass index. At J Clin Nutr. 2000; 72: 694-701.
4. Müller JM, et al. Beyond BMI. Conceptual issues related to overweight and obese patients. Obes Facts. 2016; 9: 193-205.
5. Krieger J. Methods and pitfalls of body fat measurement. https:/aesirsports.de/koerperfettmessung-methoden-tuecken/

For the following measurements  you only need the scale and tape measure. Please enter the result with one decimal place:

Body weight (kg)

If possible, weigh yourself on a digital scale to minimise the reading error and preferably indicate the average weight of several days. Please take the measurements without clothes and before breakfast.

Body height (cm)

The height is measured without shoes, if necessary using a set square to mark your height on the door frame.

Hand circumference (cm)

The circumference of the hand is measured using a tape measure at the base joints of the 2nd to 5th finger, preferably supported by a 2nd person. The hand should be strained and the thumb splayed, like shown in the picture. The left hand is chosen for right-handed people, the right hand for left-handed people.

Waist circumference (cm)

Measure your waist in an upright, relaxed position without pulling in your belly. The tape measure should be placed 2,5 cm above the navel - i.e. the smallest circumference. If no waist is visible (usually starting at a BMI >30), measure the maximum abdominal circumference above the navel, whilst lying supine. The tape measure should fit tightly without constricting.

Costs
After receipt of the money, the order will be processed and the results will be transmitted to you as a PDF file.

For scientific studies the procedure is provided free of charge. The same goes for non-profit organisations.

1. Entering your measurement data

2. Pay at PayPal (10,- €)

3. After that, you will receive your results

Now determine the target weight

1 lb = 1 kg * 2,205
1 kg = 1 lb / 2,205

1 inch = 1 cm * 2,54
1 cm = 1 inch / 2,54