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Body fat percentage is a critical metric in assessing an individual's overall health and fitness. The assessment tools that specifically evaluate body fat percentage include skinfold calipers, bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), and DEXA (Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry) scans.

Skinfold calipers measure the thickness of subcutaneous fat in specific areas of the body, allowing for calculations that estimate total body fat percentage. Bioelectrical impedance analysis operates by sending a low-level electrical current through the body, measuring the resistance (impedance) caused by body tissues, which can then be used to estimate body composition, including fat mass. The DEXA scan, often regarded as one of the most accurate methods, utilizes low-level X-rays to differentiate between bone mass, fat mass, and lean mass, providing a precise measure of body fat percentage along with regional distribution.

In contrast, body mass index (BMI) focuses primarily on weight in relation to height, without accounting for body composition. The waist-to-hip ratio evaluates the distribution of fat but does not provide direct insight into body fat percentage. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing assesses cardiovascular and pulmonary response to exercise rather than body composition metrics. Thus, the tools mentioned are specifically designed to