On this site we are presenting several different calculators within each category. Each calculator has its advantages, but some are better than others. Here we present a few calculators that we think are of excellent quality.

Energy expenditure - advanced
This is probably the best metabolic calculator available on the net. "Best" is here understood as the best compromise between ease of use and reliability. The basal metabolic rate is calculated from the Schofield reference formulas used by WHO including age specific formulas for children. Energy cost of activities are based on various references and because children use relative more energy pr. kg body weight than adults, a dynamic correction is used for children depending on body weight. At the other end of the scale, obese people tend to have their activity dependent energy expenditure overestimated. Accordingly, a correction factor for body mass indexes over 30 is applied. In summary: this calculator is reliable for children down from age 5 all the way up to obese adults.

BMI - children
For adults, the body mass index limits for overweight and obesity are straight forward (25 and 30). For children this is much more complicated as the limits vary a lot depending on age. Accordingly, the BMI calculators for children makes life a lot easier for health professionals and parents who wish to get an age specific assessment of a child's BMI-value. As the limits used in USA differ a little from limits used in other countries, two different calculators are available: US-calculator - General calculator .

Watt max test
For anyone who wish to measure fitness accurately, this test is one of the best. The downside of the test is that it requires a reliable bicycle ergometer and it requires maximal bicycling effort from the person being tested. With these requirements fulfilled the test result will be very close to what can be measured with laboratory equipment.

Fat percentage measured by skinfold thickness
Bio impedance devices for measuring body fat have become very popular, but they are in general quite unreliable. The classic method of using a skinfold caliper is still the best among the affordable methods and 4 spot formula by Durnin and Womersley is very accurate for most people. Off course - you need a skinfold caliper for this.