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Feb 26, 2024 · The overall average body fat percentage in the United States is about 39.9% for women and 28.1% for women, so below these amounts would technically be “below average.”. However, most people in the United States tend to have higher BF percentages than recommended.
- Laura Dorwart
- Overview
- What should my body fat percentage be?
- Body fat percentage table for women
- Body fat percentage table for men
- How to calculate
- BMI
- Problems and limitations
- Questions to ask a doctor
- Summary
A high percentage of body fat can increase the risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and other health conditions. Various charts can show how much body fat is healthy for individuals of different ages.
Body mass index (BMI) is a rough estimate of body fat percentage. It is useful as a general guide. However, it has limitations. For example, people with high muscle mass may have a high BMI without high body fat.
Accurately measuring body fat is essential for assessing health risks. “Ideal” body fat refers to healthy adults’ average body fat range.
In this article, learn about ideal body fat percentages for males and females by age, as well as how to calculate BMI.
A note about sex and gender
Sex and gender exist on spectrums. This article will use the terms “male,” “female,” or both to refer to sex assigned at birth. Click here to learn more.
Physiologically, women need more essential body fat than men. As such, women require slightly more body fat for good health.
Other factors that affect a person’s ideal body fat percentage include age and sex.
Physiologically, women need more essential body fat than men. As such, women require slightly more body fat for good health.
Essential body fat is necessary for insulation, the protection of internal organs, vitamin storage, and hormone regulation to promote a healthy pregnancy.
Body fat also changes with age.
Ideal body fat percentages by age group are as follows:
Age 20–29 yearsAge 30–39 yearsAge 40–49 yearsAge 50–59 yearsAge 60–69 yearsThere is no single formula to accurately calculate a person’s body fat percentage.
The best way to measure body fat involves using specialized equipment, usually in a doctor’s office or with a personal trainer. A doctor can use fat calipers to calculate fat percentages in specific areas of the body.
There are several other accurate ways to assess body fat. These include underwater weighing, X-rays, and air displacement plethysmography.
Measuring BMI is another way to estimate body fat. Although this method has limitations, BMI does correlate well with body fat in most people. It is also quicker and easier than other methods of measuring body fat.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) offers a free BMI calculator and height- and weight-based BMI chart.
The formula for calculating BMI is (weight in pounds x 703) / (height in inches)2.
To calculate BMI, a person should:
1.multiply their weight in pounds by 703
2.multiply their height in inches by itself
3.divide the answer from Step 1 by the answer from Step 2 to calculate their BMI
Many assessments of body fat show that people have higher body fat percentages than official guidelines recommend. Individuals can be healthy while also having unusually high body fat.
These differences raise concerns about whether ideal body fat percentages are realistic.
Average body fat percentages also vary by race and ethnicity. This suggests there may be cultural or racial biases with ideal body fat percentages.
Using BMI to assess body fat or overall health is another issue. BMI only accounts for weight — it makes no distinction between lean muscle, body fat percentage, and bone mass.
These factors are relevant to overall health and assessing body fat. For example, the BMI of a person with high bone density and muscle mass may indicate they have high body fat.
Also, BMI cannot assess where fat is in the body. The location of body fat is also relevant to overall health. For example, fat around the abdomen has higher health risks than fat in other areas.
It might be helpful to ask a doctor the following questions:
•What is the ideal body fat percentage for people of my age, activity level, and sex?
•What is the most accurate way to calculate body fat percentage?
•Does my health status suggest that a body fat percentage test might be helpful?
•What can I do to be healthier?
•Am I at a moderate weight?
Accurately calculating body fat percentages at home is challenging. However, BMI calculations or fat calipers can give a rough estimate of body fat levels.
Body fat is a useful indicator of overall health. However, there are limitations to its use.
For women sitting anywhere between 12-15% body fat, which may be deemed low for many, this likely shouldn’t cause disruptions to the menstrual cycle. However, consistently dieting on or eating very low calories or performing high amounts of high-intensity cardio could cause stress to the body, which may make hormonal disruptions more likely.
Aug 16, 2019 · For ideal body fat percentages based on age, Beth Israel Lahey Health Winchester Hospital gives the following guidelines for a healthy body fat percentage for women:
The 15 – 17% body fat range is a little more than a female bodybuilder has during competition season, and is more accessible for women if they are extremely committed to fitness and nutrition. But it’s important to recognize that to attain and maintain this body fat percentage, it’s going to require incredible dedication and consistency ...
- What percentage of body fat should a female have?There is no ideal level of body fat a woman should have. The right percent body fat for you will depend on your fitness goals, but may also depend...
- Is 20% body fat bad for a woman?As far as female body fat percentage, 20-22% body fat will be an athletic look with visible lean muscle mass, a smaller waist size and minimal bell...
- What does 25 body fat on woman look like?When it comes to percentage body fat on a woman, 21-25% body fat range will appear fit and will fall into a healthy weight range. You may not see a...
- How can a woman lose body fat percentage?A woman can decrease her levels of body fat by improving the nutrition of her food intake, doing regular strength training and with cardiovascular...
- What does 30% body fat look like?At 30-35% fat percentage ranges, curves throughout the body will be more pronounced in the waist region, hip circumference and legs. You will proba...
Body fat percentage simply measures what percentage of your scale weight is fat compared to lean body mass. Your body composition is defined by that ratio. When it comes to female body fat percentage, you may have questions like this: What is my actual body fat percentage, and how do I calculate it?
Aug 3, 2010 · @Toni – 17 percent body fat for a woman your age is very impressive. Nice work. In term of changing the shape of your body, given you already are very lean, the only thing I can think of is building muscle on the right place.
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related to: 17% body fat in womenObesity Is A Chronic Disease With Many Associated Health Risks, Learn More. View Information & Data for Physicians on Obesity and Associated Comorbidities.
Learn More About Body Mass Index (BMI), BMI Categories And Use The Calculator. Consider A Treatment Plan For Long Term Weight Management.
