What is a Healthy Body Fat Percent?

What is a Healthy Body Fat Percent?

Body fat percentage refers to the amount of fat in your body as a percentage of your total body weight. It is an important measure of overall health and fitness, as having too much or too little body fat can increase your risk of health problems.

So, what is a healthy body fat percent?

The American Council on Exercise (ACE) provides the following guidelines for healthy body fat percentages:

For men: 6-17%
For women: 16-27%

It's important to note that these are general guidelines and that the ideal body fat percentage may vary based on factors such as age, gender, and athletic ability.

Here are some additional considerations when it comes to body fat percentage:

Lean athletes: Some athletes, particularly those who are lean and have low body fat, may have body fat percentages that fall below the healthy range. This is generally not a cause for concern as long as they are able to maintain good health and performance.

Overweight or obese individuals: For individuals who are overweight or obese, losing body fat can improve health and reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes. A healthcare professional or trained professional can help develop a plan to safely lose excess body fat.

Age: As we age, our bodies naturally lose muscle mass and gain fat. This can lead to an increase in body fat percentage. Maintaining a healthy body fat percentage through a combination of diet and exercise can help reduce the impact of aging on body composition.

What’s Next?

You can measure your body fat and composition, lean mass gains and losses over time, and bone health by getting regular DEXA scans. DEXA scans can help you pinpoint regional changes in your muscle and fat as you work towards your goals. Your data will accrue and compare side by side on our reports, so you can stay on track to being your best self. Find an appointment today!