

Measuring whole-body and regional distribution of fat and lean mass in a medical setting through dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) can be costly and technically challenging. Two common body composition measurements are BMI and skinfold estimates, neither of which are very accurate.

Weighing yourself on a bathroom scale does not give you enough information about your overall body composition. Because of this, it is important to calculate your percentage of body fat and stay within the healthy range. Body fat percentage provides important information on health status and fitness level. For women in this same age group, any level over 39 percent is “obese” and 21 to 33 percent is considered “healthy”. According to the American Council on Exercise, men who are between 20-40 years old with over 25 percent body fat are considered “obese”, whereas a “healthy” range is described as between 8 and 19 percent. There are a number of factors that can influence body fat percentage, including age, gender, diet, activity level, and genes. What is a the best body fat percentage for you? A healthy body composition includes a high proportion of fat-free mass such as muscles, bones, and organs, and an acceptably low level of body fat.

The body fat percentage (BF%) formula is a measure of the proportion of fat in the body. Some alternative body fat percentage formulas for measuring body fat composition and health have recently been proposed. This measure, however, is flawed and sometimes does not produce an accurate picture of overall health. The most widely used and accepted body fat formula is the body mass index (BMI). Scientists have developed a body fat percentage formula to calculate percentage of body fat – with separate formulas for men and women – based on simple body circumference measurements. Ads & links are not product endorsements. When you shop using these links we earn a commission that helps support the website – at no extra cost to you.
