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Healthy Body fat percentage chart for
Women.
Healthy Body fat percentage chart for
Men.
Body fat percentage is an
important indicator to track as you evaluate
your program to lose weight and get back in
shape. By tracking your percent body
fat you can avoid losing essential lean muscle mass as you lose
weight. There are a variety of methods to
calculate your body fat percentage. No method of calculating your body fat percentage is completely
accurate except for the expensive Dexa Test (Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry).
Its cost makes it impractical to monitor your ongoing progress.
Even the "gold standard" method of underwater weighing
has its inconsistencies depending on your hydration and your ability to expel the air in
your lungs. The easiest , most direct and most economical way to check your own body
fat is with the AccuMeasure skinfold calipers.
Combining your BMI, Waist Circumference, Waist Ratios and your
Body Fat Percentage will give you a much better picture of your health than
tracking only your weight. If your body fat percentage is beyond the "Healthy Range" for
your age and gender, you are more likely to have an increased risk for heart disease, joint
problems, diabetes and even some forms of cancer.
Once you have determined your percentage of body fat,
compare it to the body fat percentage chart below to see where you are starting, and what your
goal is that you want to achieve. 
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Body
Fat Percentage Chart
Women
| Age |
Under Fat |
Healthy Range |
Overweight |
Obese |
| 20-40 yrs |
Under 21% |
21-33% |
33-39% |
Over 39% |
| 41-60 yrs |
Under 23% |
23-35% |
35-40% |
Over 40% |
| 61-79 yrs |
Under 24% |
24-36% |
36-42% |
Over 42% |
Notice the increase in body fat
percentage with age and female gender.
Men
| Age |
Under Fat |
Healthy Range |
Overweight |
Obese |
| 20-40 yrs |
Under 8% |
8-19% |
19-25% |
Over 25% |
| 41-60 yrs |
Under 11% |
11-22% |
22-27% |
Over 27% |
| 61-79 yrs |
Under 13% |
13-25% |
25-30% |
Over 30% |
One can also be "Under Fat," not having enough essential fat to support
the body's health. The following body fat percentage chart by the American
Council on Exercise does not consider age, but classifies body fat
percentage at various fitness levels and notes levels of essential fat.
| Classification |
Women (% fat) |
Men (% fat) |
| Essential Fat |
10-12% |
2-4% |
| Athletes |
14-20% |
6-13% |
| Fitness |
21-24% |
14-17% |
| Acceptable |
25-31% |
18-25% |
| Obese |
32% plus |
25% plus |
Learn how to measure and
calculate your body fat percentage.
If you are ready to get back in shape and haven't already signed in for our
Free How To Get In Shape "Get Started" guide, sign in
below:
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