Expert Advice About Optimum Amount of
Body Fat For Women & Men
Body Fat Guidelines
Body Fat Percentage - Guidelines
Table 1. Body Fat Guidelines from American
Council on Exercise
| Classification |
Women (% Fat) |
Men (% Fat) |
| Essential Fat |
10-12 percent |
2-4 percent |
| Athletes |
14-20 percent |
6-13 percent |
| Fitness |
21-24 percent |
14-17 percent |
| Acceptable |
25-31 percent |
18-25 percent |
Table 2. Body Fat Guidelines from American
Dietetics Association
| |
Women |
Men |
| Normal |
15-25 percent |
10-20 percent |
|
Overweight
|
25.1-29.9 percent |
20.1-24.4 percent |
| Obese |
Over 30 percent |
Over 25 percent |
Table 3. Age-Related Healthy Body Fat Guidelines
| Age |
Women |
Men |
| 18-39 years |
21-32 percent |
8-19 percent |
| 40-59 years |
23-33 percent |
11-21 percent |
| 60-79 years |
24-35 percent |
13-24 percent |
Body Fat Percentage and Location
Where your excess fat is located is perhaps
as important than the amount of body fat you have. Recent studies have
shown that if you carry your extra fat around your waist, you are at a
higher risk for developing the diseases mentioned above than if you carry
the same amount of extra fat around your thighs and buttocks.
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