1. Body Composition Assessment (BCA)
CFL Certification Course - S A
Establish Contact
Body Composition Assessment (BCA)
CFL_1-14_Body Composition Assessment.ppt

2. CFL Certification Course - S-562-0612A
Objectives
Discuss the selection of body circumference for BCA
Discuss the requirements for completing BCA
Conduct BCAs and body fat estimates calculations
CFL_1-14_Body Composition Assessment.ppt

3. Physical Readiness Standards
CFL Certification Course - S A
Physical Readiness Standards
Based on general health and fitness of the Sailor
Body fat standards are NOT based on
Job performance
Appearance in uniform
CFL_1-14_Body Composition Assessment.ppt

4. Body Fat Measurement Techniques
CFL Certification Course - S A
Body Fat Measurement Techniques
The most accurate way to measure body fat is during an autopsy.
Method
Std. Error (%)
Autopsy
.01
Hydrostatic Weight*
Circumference (Navy)
3.5
Calipers*
Height / Weight
5.0
Bio-impedance*
Near Infrared
7.0
* Research Environment
CFL_1-14_Body Composition Assessment.ppt

5. Hydrostatic Weight Test
CFL Certification Course - S A
Hydrostatic Weight Test
Considered the “Gold Standard”, however:
Expensive
Not available everywhere
Individuals must be comfortable in water to receive accurate reading
CFL_1-14_Body Composition Assessment.ppt

6. CFL Certification Course - S-562-0612A
Skin Fold Caliper
NHRC conducted a feasibility study with 38 CFLs
Received six one-hour training sessions
After 75 measurements only 24% were proficient
CFL_1-14_Body Composition Assessment.ppt

7. CFL Certification Course - S-562-0612A
Bio-impedance
Electric current is sent through the body to measure the amount of muscle density and fat
Not very accurate and costly
CFL_1-14_Body Composition Assessment.ppt

8. CFL Certification Course - S-562-0612A
DoD Instruction
All DoD components shall measure body fat using only the circumference-based method with one set of measurements
Male: neck and abdomen
Female: neck, waist, and hips
No substitute methods of assessment are permitted
CFL_1-14_Body Composition Assessment.ppt

9. Navy Body Composition Assessment (BCA)
CFL Certification Course - S A
Navy Body Composition Assessment (BCA)
Weight for height screening
If member exceeds, circumference measurements are required
CFL_1-14_Body Composition Assessment.ppt

10. Height-Weight Requirements
CFL Certification Course - S A
Height-Weight Requirements
Only BCA measurements taken by a qualified CFL or trained ACFL will count for official PFA reporting. BCA measurements taken by MTF personnel or civilian equivalents cannot supersede those taken by the CFL/ACFL.
All measurements will be taken 10 days to no later than 24 hours out
Drilling Reservists shall strive to comply with the BCA requirements, but have up to 31 days from the time they complete the BCA to conduct the PRT. Reservists shall not conduct a BCA less than 24 hours prior to the PRT.
NOTE: UOD can only be worn for Height-Weight measurements. PTU shall be worn for circumference measurements.
Only taken by CFL/ trained ACFL
10 days, no later than 24 hours out
Shoes removed
Reservists have up to 31 days to 24 hours out
PTU / or UOD
No deduction for clothing
CFL_1-14_Body Composition Assessment.ppt

11. CFL Certification Course - S-562-0612A
Height
Measure height each time
Round up to nearest inch
CFL_1-14_Body Composition Assessment.ppt

12. CFL Certification Course - S-562-0612A
Weight
Calibrate scale
Fractions of a pound shall be recorded to the nearest pound:
Round down weight fractions less than ½ pound
Round up weight fractions greater than ½ pound
No deduction for clothing
CFL_1-14_Body Composition Assessment.ppt

13. BCA Technician Requirements
CFL Certification Course - S A
BCA Technician Requirements
At least 2 personnel present*
Must be by a CFL or trained ACFL to measure member
Do not need CFL/ACFL (measuring) of same gender as member, however have someone of the same gender present
* 2nd member holds shirt, ensures tape is parallel to the deck
CFL_1-14_Body Composition Assessment.ppt

14. BCA Equipment & Personnel Requirements
CFL Certification Course - S A
BCA Equipment & Personnel Requirements
Any non-stretch tape, not cloth
Calibrate with yard stick to ensure tape is accurate
CO's/OIC’s should specify uniform of the day or Navy PTU for official and unofficial height and weight screening and circumference measurements
CFL_1-14_Body Composition Assessment.ppt

15. BCA Measurement Requirements
CFL Certification Course - S A
BCA Measurement Requirements
Refer to Physical Readiness Program Operating Guide 2011, OPNAVINST (Series) Supplement, Guide 4: The Body Composition Assessment (BCA), Section 2.
Each set of measurements will be completed sequentially to discourage assumption of repeated measurements
Feet together, arms at sides
Ensure correct placement of tape*
Tape parallel to the deck*
Take 2 sets of measurements in sequential order
Take an average, not the lowest
* Common errors with taping
CFL_1-14_Body Composition Assessment.ppt

16. Measurement Discrepancy
CFL Certification Course - S A
Measurement Discrepancy
All circumference measurements are to be recorded to the nearest ½ inch. If one of the two measurements differs by more than one-inch, take an additional measurement and compute a mathematical average of the two closest measurements to the nearest ½ inch and record this value.
Refer to Physical Readiness Program Operating Guide 2011, OPNAVINST (Series) Supplement, Guide 4: The Body Composition Assessment (BCA), Section 2.
Members shall be taped 2 times
If there is more than 1 in difference in the 2 measurements, a 3rd measurement will be taken
Calculate the average of the 2 closest measurements
CFL_1-14_Body Composition Assessment.ppt

17. CFL Certification Course - S-562-0612A
Navy BCA Standards
Male
22 % up to 39 years
23% over 40 years
Female
33 % up to 39 years
34% over 40 years
NAVADMIN 131/10 rescinded DoD BCA as of 01 Jul 10
CFL_1-14_Body Composition Assessment.ppt

18. CFL Certification Course - S-562-0612A
BCA Estimation Method
Refer to Physical Readiness Program Operating Guide 2011, OPNAVINST (Series) Supplement, Guide 4: The Body Composition Assessment (BCA), Section 3.
Height rounded up to the nearest half inch
Circumference Value (CV)
Male CV: abdominal - neck = CV
Female CV: (hips + natural waist) - neck = CV
Refer to body fat estimate chart
CFL_1-14_Body Composition Assessment.ppt

19. CFL Certification Course - S-562-0612A
BCA Key Points
Male measurements
Neck under Adams apple
Abdominal across navel
Female measurements
Neck at larynx (have member swallow)
Natural waist at smallest portion
Hips across largest protrusion of gluteal muscle
Always take 2 consecutive sets
CFL_1-14_Body Composition Assessment.ppt

20. Body Fat Estimate Chart
CFL Certification Course - S A
Body Fat Estimate Chart
Note: half inches
differs from
height-weight
screen
Height and CV =
body fat %
CFL_1-14_Body Composition Assessment.ppt

21. CFL Certification Course - S-562-0612A
Body Fat % Example
Answer is 20% and within BCA standards
Male
CV = 19
Height = 64.2 in
What is the body fat %?
CFL_1-14_Body Composition Assessment.ppt

22. CFL Certification Course - S-562-0612A
Common Cheats
Body Wraps
wait 72 hours before re-measuring
Shoe inserts in socks
Hair buns/extensions
measure top of head not hair
Standing on toes
CFL_1-14_Body Composition Assessment.ppt

23. Maintaining Integrity
CFL Certification Course - S A
Maintaining Integrity
If you are not comfortable measuring someone, have another qualified CFL/ACFL take the measurements
You may use a CFL from another command
Measurements must made by a CFL/ trained ACFL
CFL_1-14_Body Composition Assessment.ppt

24. CFL Certification Course - S-562-0612A
BCA Pass
Member meets height-weight standards or
Outside of height-weight standards and meets body fat %
CFL_1-14_Body Composition Assessment.ppt

25. CFL Certification Course - S-562-0612A
BCA Failure
Member fails to meet height-weight standards
and
Is outside of maximum allowable body fat %
CFL_1-14_Body Composition Assessment.ppt

26. Why does the Navy use body fat circumference measurements?
CFL Certification Course - S A
Why does the Navy use body fat circumference measurements?
CFL_1-14_Body Composition Assessment.ppt

27. Why does the Navy use body fat circumference measurements?
CFL Certification Course - S A
Why does the Navy use body fat circumference measurements?
DoD Instruction states all services shall….
CFL_1-14_Body Composition Assessment.ppt

28. What personnel are authorized to take official BCAs?
CFL Certification Course - S A
What personnel are authorized to take official BCAs?
CFL_1-14_Body Composition Assessment.ppt

29. What personnel are authorized to take official BCAs?
CFL Certification Course - S A
What personnel are authorized to take official BCAs?
Only taken by CFL/ trained ACFL
CFL_1-14_Body Composition Assessment.ppt

30. How many sets of measurements are required?
CFL Certification Course - S A
How many sets of measurements are required?
CFL_1-14_Body Composition Assessment.ppt

31. How many sets of measurements are required?
CFL Certification Course - S A
How many sets of measurements are required?
Take all circumference measurements two times. Take a third measurement if one of the two measurements differs by more than one inch from the other
CFL_1-14_Body Composition Assessment.ppt

32. Do you take the lowest of the three?
CFL Certification Course - S A
Do you take the lowest of the three?
CFL_1-14_Body Composition Assessment.ppt

33. Do you take the lowest of the three?
CFL Certification Course - S A
Do you take the lowest of the three?
No, average the two measurements
CFL_1-14_Body Composition Assessment.ppt

34. CFL Certification Course - S-562-0612A
Summary
Maintain accurate equipment
2 members must be present for all measurements
Handle cheating immediately
CFL_1-14_Body Composition Assessment.ppt

35. CFL Certification Course - S-562-0612A
References
Refer to Physical Readiness Program, OPNAVINST (Series).
Refer to Physical Readiness Program Operating Guide 2011, OPNAVINST (Series) Supplement, Guide 4: The Body Composition Assessment (BCA).
Naval Health Research Center – Calipers
OPNAVINST (Series)
Physical Readiness Program Operating Guide 4: The Body Composition Assessment (BCA)
CFL_1-14_Body Composition Assessment.ppt

36. Need Live Demo Volunteers
CFL Certification Course - S A
Need Live Demo Volunteers
Demonstrate how to take the BCA measurements using two trainee volunteers, one male and one female.
1 Male and 1 Female
CFL_1-14_Body Composition Assessment.ppt

37. CFL Certification Course - S-562-0612A
BCA Check
Were the members’:
Hands down at the side?
Feet together?
Was the tape:
Parallel to the deck?
In back and front?
Were 2 sets taken?
(Neck, abs) and (neck, abs) [Male]
(Neck, waist, hips) and (neck, waist, hips) [Female]
CFL_1-14_Body Composition Assessment.ppt

38. CFL Certification Course - S-562-0612A
BCA Practical Lab
Refer to BCA Practice Sheet.
Divide into PT teams
Each person takes 2 sets of measurements on each group member
Include a female if possible
BCA Worksheet is in your CFL binder
Come to consensus among the group
Any person with different measurements must be re-measured
CFL_1-14_Body Composition Assessment.ppt

39. CFL Certification Course - S-562-0612A
PFA Decision Making
NOTE: The trainees can complete this activity on their own or in small groups.
Refer trainee to PFA Decision Making Activity materials.
Review the BCA - Height and Weight and Measurements sections to determine who passed or failed the BCA and note the results on your tracking sheets.
Refer trainee to PFA Decision Making Activity Tracking Sheets.
Discuss the results with all trainees and clarify any misconceptions.
CFL_1-14_Body Composition Assessment.ppt

40. CFL Certification Course - S-562-0612A
Questions?
CFL_1-14_Body Composition Assessment.ppt