The body fat standards program uses height and Circumference Value to determine body fat percentage. What is the equation used to determine CV for males?

• A. Abdomen - Neck (in inches)
• B. Neck - Abdomen
• C. Waist - Chest
• D. Height - Weight

Answer: (A)

Circumference Value for males is found by subtracting neck girth from abdomen girth, both measured in inches. You measure the abdomen at the level of the navel and the neck around the narrowest part just below the larynx with the head in a neutral position. The resulting difference is the Circumference Value, which, along with height, is used to estimate body fat percentage in the Coast Guard body fat standards. A larger abdomen relative to the neck raises the CV and, thus, the estimated body fat; a smaller abdomen or larger neck lowers the CV.

The other options don’t fit the standard method: reversing the order (neck minus abdomen) can yield negative values and isn’t how CV is defined; using waist and chest ignores the required measurement sites; and height minus weight corresponds to BMI, not the CV used here.