Relative Fat Mass (RFM) Calculator
Simple anthropometric formula estimating body fat percentage using height and waist circumference. More accurate than BMI for predicting body fat. Males: RFM = 64 − (20 × height/waist). Females: RFM = 76 − (20 × height/waist).
Score interpretation
RFM <20% (men) — below average body fat percentage
→ No fat loss intervention needed; reassess if BMI or risk factors indicate concerns; monitor for sarcopenic obesity if muscular
RFM 20–30% (men) or 30–40% (women) — normal to borderline fat range
→ Lifestyle advice for maintaining healthy body composition; regular physical activity; dietary counselling if trending upward; annual reassessment
RFM ≥30% (men) / ≥40% (women) — obesity-level body fat
→ Assess metabolic risk (blood pressure, glucose, lipids); calculate EOSS stage; lifestyle intervention; consider referral to weight management service; pharmacotherapy or bariatric surgery evaluation if BMI ≥35 with comorbidities
Interpretation bands for the Relative Fat Mass. Apply clinical judgement and local guidance.
References
- Woolcott OO, Bergman RN. Relative Fat Mass (RFM) as a New Estimator of Whole-Body Fat Percentage. Sci Rep. 2018;8(1):10980.
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
- Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) · JBDS 2013 / Joint British Diabetes Societies; NICE NG17
- Adult Hypoglycaemia (Treated Diabetes) · JBDS-IP (2023): Hospital Management of Hypoglycaemia
- Adrenal Crisis · Society for Endocrinology Emergency Guidance (2024)
- Type 2 Diabetes Management · NICE NG28 2022
- Hyperthyroidism Management · BTA / ETA 2018
- Adrenal Insufficiency · Society of Endocrinology / ESE 2016
Decision support only — verify against a current formulary, NICE, or your local guideline before clinical use.