Body Fat Percentage

Body fat percentage is the percentage of fat your body contains, limited amounts of fat are essential to bodily functions to regulate body temperature, cushion and insulate organs, and is the bodies main form of energy. However, to much excess fat can be harmfully to the body and lead to obesity, but how much excess fat is too much?

Body Fat Percentage Chart:

Women:

• Essential: 10-12%
• Athletes: 14-20%
• Fitness: 21-24%
• Acceptable: 25-31%
• Obese: 32% and up

Men:

• Essential: 2-4%
• Athletes: 6-13%
• Fitness: 14-17%
• Acceptable: 18-25%
• Obese: 25% and up

Body fat percentage does not account for the muscle mass you have, so two people could have the same body fat percentage but look completely different. When your body fat percentage gets to high, it could mean that you are overweight or obese and have negative effects on your health. But your body fat percentage can also become to low and put you in danger. A body fat percentage of less than 5% is a sign of poor health and can lead to many health issues including,

• Serious heart problems
• Energy levels decrease
• Always cold
• Muscles have trouble recovering from exercise
• Constantly hungry
• Muscles weaken
• Getting sick more often
• Brittle bones
• Always in a bad mood
• Brain fog
• Bad skin

Start keeping track of your body fat percentage to be sure it’s not getting too high or falling too low!