Body Fat Percentage References
Body Fat References
| Description | Women | Men |
| Recommended amount | 20% – 25% | 8% – 14% |
| Adults in US, average | 22% – 25% | 15% – 19% |
| Obese | 30% and above | 25% and above |
The typical body fat amounts, according to Health Check Systems, The American Council on Exercise has categorized the range of body fat percentages as follows (see wikipedia):
| Description | Women | Men |
| Essential fat | 10% – 13% | 2% – 5% |
| Athletes | 14% – 20% | 6% – 13% |
| Fitness | 21% – 24% | 14% – 17% |
| Average | 25% – 31% | 18% – 24% |
| Obese | 32% and above | 25% and above |
Mayo Clinic staff, as well as other health professionals, list the following age-adjusted body fat percentile recommendations:
Women:
- 20-40 years old
- Underfat: under 21 % ; Healthy: 21-33 % ; Overweight: 33-39 % ; Obese: Over 39 %
- 41-60 years old
- Underfat: under 23 % ; Healthy: 23-35 % ; Overweight : 35-40 % Obese: over 40 %
- 61-79 years old
- Underfat: under 24 % ; Healthy: 24-36 % ; Overweight: 36-42 % ; Obese: over 42 %
Men:
- 20-40 years old
- Underfat: under 8 % ; Healthy: 8-19 % ; Overweight: 19-25 % ; Obese: over 25 %
- 41-60 years old
- Underfat: under 11 % ; Healthy: 11-22 % ; Overweight: 22-27 % ; Obese: over 27 %
- 61-79 years old
- Underfat: under 13 % ; Healthy: 13-25 % ; Overweight: 25-30 % ; Obese: over 30 %
