Knowing your body fat percentage gives far more insight into your health than your weight alone.
Here’s a simple guide to help you understand what’s considered optimal — and whether you’re in the healthy range for your age and gender.
Body Fat Is More Than Just a Number on the Scale
Even if you’re not overweight by BMI, a high body fat percentage can still put you at risk. That’s why it’s important to look at body composition — not just total weight.
Women Naturally Carry More Fat Than Men
Female bodies are built to store more fat due to hormonal and reproductive needs. That doesn’t mean unhealthy — in fact, too little fat can cause serious issues for women.
Age Plays a Big Role in Fat Distribution
As you age, your metabolism slows and fat storage patterns shift. The older you are, the more natural it is to carry slightly higher fat percentages.
Low Fat Can Be Just as Harmful as High Fat
Being extremely lean may sound healthy, but it can disrupt hormones, reduce immunity, and even affect fertility — especially in women.
Location of Fat Matters
Visceral fat around the abdomen is riskier than fat on hips and thighs. Even if your body fat percentage is average, excess belly fat can still raise health concerns.
Men and Women Should Use Different Standards
What’s low for a man might be normal for a woman. That’s why age- and gender-based fat percentage charts are essential.
How to Measure Your Body Fat
You can use calipers, a smart scale, or get a DEXA scan at a clinic. Whichever method you choose, track your progress consistently over time.
Here’s What’s Considered Normal (Quick Summary):
Aim for Balance, Not Perfection
It’s not about chasing the lowest number. Instead, focus on a sustainable lifestyle that supports strength, energy, and long-term health — your ideal fat percentage will follow.
This article is based on information from Med24.dk