Healthy Body Fat Percentage Target Levels and Measurement

We all know that some amount of body fat is essential for bodily functions and therefore for health. With the trend towards a "healthier, slimmer you", it is important to know what your healthy body fat percentage is. The table below shows body fat percentages for different groups of individuals as suggested by the American Council of Exercise. Generally women have a body fat percentage that is 10% higher than men of the same category.

Body Fat Table

How is body fat measured?

Skinfold measurements can be performed using calipers to measure the thickness of the skin in various parts of the body. These readings, along with the body weight are then converted to a body fat percentage. Calipers are normally found in health clubs and physicians offices.

Hydrostatic tanks are used to calculate your body weight underwater after the lungs have been completely emptied. While this form of measurement is accurate, it is not practical in most settings.

Infrared interactance involves shining infrared light through different areas of the body and studying the wavelengths in the spectrum produced. This gives the lean: fat mass ratio.

Ideally, weight loss (or weight gain) programs should not only be targeted at reducing (or increasing) overall weight but should provide some measure of change in lean mass and body fat. A carefully controlled diet and exercise regimen ensures that a healthy body fat percentage is maintained and essential body fat is not lost through unsupervised diet programs.

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