How is body density calculated?

Body density is calculated by dividing body mass by body volume, making this the correct answer. This relationship essentially establishes how compact or dense the body's mass is in relation to the space it occupies. It is a fundamental measurement in body composition analysis, as density can provide insights into an individual's body fat percentage and overall composition.

For example, a denser body may indicate a higher proportion of muscle mass, while a less dense body could suggest a higher fat mass, given that fat tissue is less dense than muscle tissue. The calculation of body density is crucial for various applications, including health assessments and developing tailored fitness programs for individuals.

Other methods listed, such as measuring skinfold thickness, weighing without clothing, or calculating body fat percentage, are indirect assessments that provide useful information about body composition but do not directly determine body density. These methods often rely on estimation equations or assumptions about fat distribution and are not direct calculations of body density itself.