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Body fat percentage is a better indicator of health than BMI. Essential fat varies by age and gender, and too much or too little storage fat can cause health risks. Bioelectrical impedance is the most common method to measure body fat. The healthy percentage of body fat varies by age and gender. Consult a physician to determine a healthy percentage for you.
Today’s medical experts often argue that body fat percentage is a better guide to a person’s health than other measurements, such as their body mass index. Body fat is made up of two components: essential fat and storage fat. Because different people have different needs for essential fat, the percentage of healthy body fat varies by age and gender.
Body fat percentage is exactly what the name suggests: the percentage of your body weight that is made up of fat. It’s generally considered a better guide to health than the body mass index, which simply looks at your weight and height. This can be misleading as, for example, a healthy, athletic person may have a high BMI because they have a muscular physique. Alternatively, someone with a low body mass index may have a dangerous proportion of their weight made up of fat, which can increase their risk of obesity-related health problems.
There are several ways to measure to see if you have a healthy percentage of body fat. The most common is bioelectrical impedance. This involves sending a small electrical signal through your body. Because fat has a lower water content than other tissues, it is a less effective conductor of electricity and therefore slows signal movement.
Less common methods include the use of calipers to see how much fat can be removed from particular areas of the body. Some researchers use a technique that involves infrared light, although this is not particularly reliable. The most effective way to check if someone has a healthy percentage of body fat is to weigh them underwater with empty lungs. This works because fat floats on water while bone and muscle sink. Naturally, this technique should only be performed by trained professionals.
Calculations to find a healthy percentage of body fat must take into account the person’s age and gender. That’s because there is a certain level of fat, known as essential fat, that people need to survive. This level varies: women need more than men, as their bodies are designed for pregnancy, while older people typically need more to keep warm. Fat beyond this level is known as storage fat, some of which is needed for fuel if the body does not have enough food. Too little or too much stored fat can cause health risks.
Exactly what percentage of body fat is healthy is a disputed point. There are various charts online that vary in the numbers they give, although the general trends are largely the same. To give an example, the World Health Organization lists the ranges for healthy women increasing from 17-31% for an 18-year-old to 24-36% for someone over the age of 60, while the male ranges increase from 10 -20% for a 18 year old to 13-25% for someone over 60 years of age. Due to varying numbers from different sources, it is best to consult your own physician or other medical professional to determine what a healthy percentage of body fat is for you.
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