Body Fat %

[mhibdon]

Good morning everyone!

So I have a question: What is a healthy body fat % for a female? I've heard so many different things that I wanted you guys' opinions too!

Thanks for the input!

Love!~

[RunbikeSki]

It kinda depends on your objective.

For most ladies mid 20s is great... super really. I am hoping to get an immersion measurement done next month and am shooting for low 20s/high teens. But that is mostly because of the weight lifting I have been doing recently. I started this process in the high 30s so even low 20s would be wonderful.

If you are trying to for a shapely, firm, figure, 25% would be fine, IMO, even a bit higher.

[amandab87]

I am in the Army Reserve, and having a weight issue myself. According to their guidelines, 32% is the maximum someone my height should be at. I'm at 36% right now, but I'm working on it! (BTW, I'm 5'1")

[cjohnson728]

Body fat percentages fall into categories, like BMI...obese, average, fitness, athletes. Like most things, different agencies/researchers/merchants may have different opinions as to where the cutoffs are, but these are the most common ones (first range in each is for women, second is for men)

Essential fat 10–13%, 2–5%
Athletes 14–20%, 6–13%
Fitness 21–24%, 14–17%
Average 25–31%, 18–24%
Obese 32%+, 25%+

[mhibdon]

Thanks Cassie! That's exactly what I needed!