Body Surface Area (BSA)
Body Surface Area is the total external surface area of a human body, it is commonly measured in square meters or square feet. It is often used to assess metabolic rates and provides a more precise measurement than weight alone.
Why track my Body Surface Area?
How is BSA calculated?
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BSA is calculated using formulas based on your height and weight. The most common formula is the Mosteller formula:​​​
​​BSA =
​​height (cm) x weight (kg)
3600
Body surface area is a secondary metric that helps you understand how your total body size is changing when you are on a transformational fitness journey.
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While BSA isn’t typically tracked for general fitness or health purposes like BMI or body fat percentage, it can be relevant if you’re undergoing medical treatments that require precise dosing or if you want to understand more about how your body size affects metabolism and caloric needs.
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Additionally, BSA helps calculate the Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR), which reflects how many calories your body needs at rest to maintain basic functions.