comparison of body fat using just tape measure

I decided to comparison shop and try a few body fat measures using simply a measuring tape.

waist: 42.5"
height: 5'9.5"
weight: 229
wrist circumference: 7.0

This produced a body fat of 27.0%

http://www.drsears.com/drsearspages/bodyfatcalmale.jsp

Says my lean weight is 167.9. That seems pretty close to me.

Here's the results from a second website:

http://www.slimmingsystems.com/body_fat_calculator.htm


42.5 Your Waist Size
229 Your Weight

25.84% Percent Bodyfat

2349 cals -- Resting Metabolic Rate
calories

170 pounds -- my so-called "lean weight"

The site says this about body fat ranges: "And for men, male athletes would typically have levels of 6-13%, fit men would have levels ranging from 14-17%, acceptable levels for the average man would range from 18-25%. "


http://www.biofitness.com/bodyfat.html

Interesting site that has me at 26%. Seems to be pretty close.


Name:
Age: 36
Sex: Male
Body Weight: 229
buttocks : 41.25
abdomen : 42.5
right forearm: 12
Activity Level: Heavy Activity

Body fat percentage: 26.2%

Healthy body fat standard: 15.45% (Cooper Clinic adjusted for age)

Fat weight: 59.9 lbs.

Lean weight:169.1 lbs.

Target body weight: 200.0 lbs. (Your current weight minus the fat loss for health without any muscle gain)

Desired weight loss: 29.0 lbs. (The fat loss needed to reach a healthy level without muscle gain)

Body fat level: Very High (See Private Consultation below!)

Suggested Exercise Level: general reconditioning, physical exam recommended

Maximum Daily Calorie Consumption for Weight Maintenance

Protein 15%: 637 kcal, 159 gramsNutrition for Fitness & Sport; Melvin Williams, 1995.

Carbohydrate 60%: 2550 kcal, 637 gramsRecommended Dietary Allowances National Research Council.

Saturated Fat 5%: 212 kcal,
23 gramsUnsaturated Fat

20%: 850 kcal, 94 gramsDietary Guidelines for Americans; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Total Daily kcal 100%: 4251

http://www.lowfatlifestyle.com/bmicalculator.htm

This says my bmi is currently 33.

The breaking points seems to be 205 pounds (prone to health risks) to 185 (desirable).

So it turns out, despite all the yelling and screaming about one device or method being more accurate than others, the tanita scale fluctuates, but a 5-day moving average, is pretty close, as are just plain old measuring tape calculators off the web. . . or you can do measurements with calipers for $30 bucks. I guess I just wish some people would stop screaming about it. . .

k