How Is Skinny Fat Measured? – Question

Hi Dr. Skinny Fat. I’m on social media a lot. Skinny fat is a common term. It seems like everyone is calling everyone skinny fat nowadays. Sometimes I think it’s obvious when someone is skinny fat. But other times I’m not sure. It seems so arbitrary. How is skinny fat measured?

Am I skinny fat? My BMI is 22.9 and I don’t have any excess body fat. When I post on social and ask, I get such a varied response that it only confuses me more. When it comes to taking my blood pressure and heart rate, I can get a clear, accurate measurement. I can go to my doctor and get tested for cholesterol, A1C, and glucose, but when I ask for a muscle tissue or skinny fat measurement, the best they can do is BMI and lean body mass, neither of which really tells me what my muscle tissue is, or if I’m experiencing skinny fat.

I took the free quiz on this site, and it said there’s a high probability I’m experiencing skinny fat. But that’s not a measurement. What am I missing? Is there really no way to measure skinny fat?

How Is Skinny Fat Measured? – Question

At this time, no way exists to accurately measure muscle tissue or skinny fat. After reviewing your images, at a safe (normal weight) BMI of 22.9, you don’t have any excess regular white/yellow body fat. However, it does appear you are likely experiencing some skinny fat — genetic muscle deficiency — on your lower back, at least, and maybe your upper legs. You mentioned you think you are also experiencing cellulite (type of skinny fat)(1) on your buttocks.

But to really measure deficient genetic muscle tissue (skinny fat), science and medicine first need an accurate muscle-tissue measurement and a baseline average to compare it to. Yet, neither measurement exists at this time. Which is why your doctor can’t offer those accurate measurements, only the inaccurate BMI (1), LBM (2, 3), and other anthropometric estimates.

This isn’t because those measurements can’t exist — they most certainly can. Our MRI Study (4) is working on it. The delay is due to mainstream institutions becoming ingrained in established metrics, regardless of their known inaccuracies and limitations, which slows the evolution and acceptance of new metrics. Not to mention the immense difficulty and cost of running the required MRI Study to build the foundational dataset. Please read more about our MRI Study and spread the word to help with funding.

Skinny Fat Measurement Alternatives — Scientific Health Quizzes

In the meantime, we have developed the Scientific Health Quizzes to accurately screen potential research participants for the MRI Study, and as helpful tools for individuals like you to better understand your overall health. This includes the Scientific Body Type Quiz to accurately estimate body composition, particularly skinny fat. As well as the Scientific Metabolism Quiz, Scientific Diet Quiz, Scientific Exercise Quiz, and Scientific Lifestyle Quiz, all of which help paint a whole picture.

Accounts are free, private, secure, and anonymous (depending on what info you choose to give). Free options are available. Feel free to ask questions in the comments below.

References

1. Skinny Fat Science: What Is Skinny Fat?, July 26, 2024. https://skinnyfat.fellowone.com/skinny-fat-science/what-is-skinny-fat/
2. Skinny Fat Science: Lean Body Mass and Skinny Fat, June 3, 2026. https://skinnyfat.fellowone.com/skinny-fat-science/lean-body-mass-lbm-and-skinny-fat/
3. Skinny Fat Science: Skinny Fat – The Future, May 27, 2026. https://skinnyfat.fellowone.com/skinny-fat-science/skinny-fat-the-future/
4. Skinny Fat Science: Scientific Skinny Fat MRI Study – Proving What Skinny Fat Is, March 26, 2025. https://skinnyfat.fellowone.com/skinny-fat-science/scientific-skinny-fat-mri-study-proving-what-skinny-fat-is/