I did this for the military and they used the tape besides weight amounts as they don’t do a complete job. Calipers were used as a backup.
Weight is inconclusive as it does not take into consideration bone structure, musculature, and body type (DNA) which in many cases is contributory to weight and fitness. We had a lot of people constantly fighting for their career when they lived off weight only. A perfect example is the body type of Pacific Islanders. They are strong, also, but their body shape was a problem and it is hereditary.
I was in on a court martial of a man that was being tossed for over weightness as a witness, AFR 35-11 procedures, to his workout program. When the prosecuting captain was finished, the defense major didn’t even say a word. He put up three easels and put pictures of the guy in competition for body building. There was one full colonel and two light colonels on the board, and the full colonel ask the JAG, “Are trying the throw him out?” When the captain started to speak, the colonel just glared at him and broke in and asked him do you wish to withdraw article 15 and summary court martial procedures. The jag said yes and ultimately a waiver from the squadron commander was established. This guy was huge. His body fat % was less than 5 and he was 6 feet and 240 pounds. Strong as a bull. His top weight number in the system at that time was 202 pounds at 72 inches. Over that was considered overweight. They now handle this on case by case.
rwood
Interesting example. No one should have their career put in peril because of faulty metrics. It’s good that it worked out well.