Some charts will divide the percentages by categories, such as athletes and acceptable ranges, while others divide the ranges by age. For ideal body fat percentages based on age, Beth Israel Lahey Health Winchester Hospital gives the following guidelines for a healthy body fat percentage for women:.
In general, men have a lower body fat to lean tissue ratio than women, which explains the differences in the ranges. Reproduction plays a role in the higher body fat percentages for women. For ideal body fat percentages based on age, Beth Israel Lahey Health Winchester Hospital gives the following guidelines for a healthy body fat percentage for men:.
BMI is a numerical value of your weight in relation to your height, according to the American Heart Association. There are several BMI calculators online. If you think of BMI and body fat measurements as one tool you have available to help you track your progress, you may be less likely to get fixated on the results. In other words, rather than being driven by reducing a particular number, you can be motivated to enhance your health by fueling your body with nourishing foods and taking steps to include some form of exercise into your daily routine.
Having this mindset can make it easier to understand and accept the issues and limitations that come with BMI and body fat percentages. For example, a muscular athlete may have a higher BMI because of extra lean mass and, consequently, could be categorized as overweight or obese.
Whereas someone with a lower weight and a much higher body fat to lean mass ratio could fall under the normal to healthy range. Body fat percentages, on the other hand, also have issues and limitations. Eating healthy and being active is where you need to focus your energy. If you have any questions or concerns about your BMI or body fat percentage, consider talking with your doctor, a certified personal trainer, or registered dietitian.
They can help you understand your individual results and work with you to design a plan that fits your needs. There are several ways to find a certified personal trainer or registered dietitian in your area.
First, call around to the local gyms and ask about the credentials of their trainers. You want to look for trainers with certifications such as:. Bonus if they have a college degree in exercise science, kinesiology, or sports medicine.
You can also locate trainers through the websites of the certifying bodies. For example, ACE has a section on their website that allows you to search for trainers in your area. If you don't have the resources to make the trip to a health care provider, however, you can get a fairly good estimate at home. The American Council of Exercise has a calculator where you can plug in some skinfold measurements for a rough idea of what your body fat percentage is.
Body fat percentage still doesn't tell the whole story -- where the fat is stored on your body is important, too. Some people carry fat around their midsection, while others have an "hourglass" shape, where you carry fat in your chest and hips. Body fat distribution is determined in part by environmental factors, like alcohol intake and cigarette use, but it also has a strong genetic component.
To get an idea of your body fat distribution, measure the ratio between the circumference of your waist and the circumference of your hips. The more fat you carry around your waist being apple-shaped as opposed to pear-shaped , the higher your risk is for heart disease. Ratios over 0. If your ratio or body fat percentage is higher than you'd like, the good news is that it's not permanent.
A study suggested that a diet low in processed foods may lower your waist-to-hip ratio. If you're concerned about your body fat percentage, talk to your health care provider -- they'll have ideas on how you can manage your weight better in the long run.
The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.
Be respectful, keep it civil and stay on topic. We delete comments that violate our policy , which we encourage you to read. Discussion threads can be closed at any time at our discretion. Body Mass Index is a measure of body fat based on your height and weight. Physicians widely consider BMI measurements as a simple way to determine if a person is healthy or unhealthy, underweight or overweight. It is important to note, however, that your BMI score is not a dictation of what you should weigh…it is more a general guideline more on this below.
The US Department of Health and Human Services has this handy calulator on their website that can also do this for you. For females: a body fat percentage of:. For males: a body fat percentage of:. Measuring Body Fat There are a variety of ways to measure your body fat percentage. You can use tools such as skin calipers, underwater or hydrostatic weighing, a Tanita machine which is a bioelectrical impedance, or a Bod Pod. The Bod Pod is considered the best and most accurate tool for fitness enthusiasts or individuals on a mission to decrease fat and track progress.
0コメント