{"id":801890,"date":"2024-04-19T18:03:41","date_gmt":"2024-04-19T18:03:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/blog-best-blood-tests-for-longevity-copy\/"},"modified":"2024-04-19T18:21:28","modified_gmt":"2024-04-19T18:21:28","slug":"blog-what-is-a-healthy-body-fat-percentage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/blog-what-is-a-healthy-body-fat-percentage\/","title":{"rendered":"What is a Healthy Body Fat Percentage?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"bsf_rt_marker\"><\/div><p>[et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; admin_label=&#8221;Section&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.5&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; collapsed=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_row admin_label=&#8221;Row&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.22.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.19.5&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text ul_item_indent=&#8221;50px&#8221; admin_label=&#8221;Text&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.24.3&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; text_font=&#8221;Open Sans||||||||&#8221; link_font=&#8221;|600|||||||&#8221; ul_text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;]<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Weight, BMI, body fat, waist-to-height or waist-to-hip ratios\u2026 There are plenty of metrics we can pay attention to when it comes to assessing our body composition.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">In this blog, we\u2019ll take a look at body fat percentage and ask what a healthy level of body fat looks like. We\u2019ll outline why body composition matters, what a healthy body fat percentage is, and how to calculate your body fat percentage.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">So, if you\u2019re wondering \u201cWhat should my body fat percentage be\u201d, you\u2019re in the right place. Let\u2019s get right into it.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_body_composition\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 500;\">What is body composition? <\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_81 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title ez-toc-toggle\" style=\"cursor:pointer\">Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/blog-what-is-a-healthy-body-fat-percentage\/#What_is_body_composition\" >What is body composition?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/blog-what-is-a-healthy-body-fat-percentage\/#Body_fat\" >Body fat<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/blog-what-is-a-healthy-body-fat-percentage\/#Visceral_fat\" >Visceral fat\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/blog-what-is-a-healthy-body-fat-percentage\/#Lean_mass\" >Lean mass<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/blog-what-is-a-healthy-body-fat-percentage\/#Why_is_body_composition_important\" >Why is body composition important?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/blog-what-is-a-healthy-body-fat-percentage\/#What_is_a_healthy_body_fat_percentage\" >What is a healthy body fat percentage?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/blog-what-is-a-healthy-body-fat-percentage\/#What_is_a_healthy_body_fat_percentage_for_women\" >What is a healthy body fat percentage for women?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/blog-what-is-a-healthy-body-fat-percentage\/#What_is_a_healthy_body_fat_percentage_for_men\" >What is a healthy body fat percentage for men?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/blog-what-is-a-healthy-body-fat-percentage\/#What_is_a_healthy_visceral_fat_percentage\" >What is a healthy visceral fat percentage?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/blog-what-is-a-healthy-body-fat-percentage\/#How_to_calculate_body_fat_percentage\" >How to calculate body fat percentage\u00a0<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/blog-what-is-a-healthy-body-fat-percentage\/#DEXA_scan\" >DEXA scan\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/blog-what-is-a-healthy-body-fat-percentage\/#Bioelectrical_impedance_analysis\" >Bioelectrical impedance analysis\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/blog-what-is-a-healthy-body-fat-percentage\/#Skinfold_measurements\" >Skinfold measurements\u00a0<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/blog-what-is-a-healthy-body-fat-percentage\/#Are_there_limitations_to_body_fat_percentage_measurements\" >Are there limitations to body fat percentage measurements?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/blog-what-is-a-healthy-body-fat-percentage\/#Which_is_better_BMI_or_body_fat_percentage\" >Which is better: BMI or body fat percentage?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/blog-what-is-a-healthy-body-fat-percentage\/#Need_help_reaching_a_healthy_body_fat_percentage\" >Need help reaching a healthy body fat percentage?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image _builder_version=&#8221;4.24.3&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; alt=&#8221;A graphic titled %22Human Body Composition%22 shows two figures, one male, one female. Each figure divided into color-coded sections to show their percentage muscle tissue, essential fat, non-essential fat, bone, and other tissue. &#8221; title_text=&#8221;shutterstock_2149188223&#8243; src=&#8221;https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/shutterstock_2149188223.jpg&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.24.3&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;]<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Body composition describes the percentage of body tissues \u2013 including body fat, muscle, and bone \u2013 that comprise your body. Your body contains varying amounts of subcutaneous fat, visceral fat, muscle, bone, water, and other tissues including your organs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Body composition is an important <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/blog-the-power-of-health-and-fitness-testing\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">health and fitness metric<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"> and is broadly indicative of your overall health. A body composition scan (such as a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/services\/dexa\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">DEXA scan<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">) can give you <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/blog-what-does-a-body-composition-scan-show\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">more information on a range of metrics<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">, including the following:\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Body_fat\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 500;\">Body fat<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Body fat percentage is a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/blog-the-importance-of-body-composition-testing\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">good indicator of overall health and fitness<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">. However, when we talk about body fat, it\u2019s important to distinguish between two key types of fat in the body: subcutaneous fat and visceral fat. A measure of your body fat percentage will include both of these two types of fat.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthline.com\/health\/subcutaneous-fat\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Subcutaneous fat<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"> sits just below your skin and serves as an energy store. Higher levels of subcutaneous fat can be linked to your genetics, consuming more calories than you burn through activity, insulin resistance, or getting very little physical activity.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Visceral_fat\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 500;\">Visceral fat\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">The second type of fat, visceral fat, is stored within your abdominal cavity and around your internal organs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthline.com\/health\/visceral-fat\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Visceral fat<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"> isn\u2019t visible to the human eye, and can only be measured by using a body composition scan, such as a DEXA scan. However, a high level of overall body fat tends to correlate to a higher level of visceral fat.\u00a0 A waist measurement is sometimes used as a rough estimate of visceral fat, with a measurement of over 35\u201d (for women) and over 40\u201d (for men) being indicative of a higher level of visceral fat.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">However, high levels of visceral fat aren\u2019t always obvious \u2013 it\u2019s possible to have higher visceral fat levels at a healthy weight. This is why a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/services\/dexa\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">professional body composition scan<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"> is the most accurate way to assess your visceral fat percentage and overall body composition.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Lean_mass\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 500;\">Lean mass<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Lean mass includes your muscles, as well as your bones, ligaments, tendons, and internal organs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">When it comes to assessing your body composition, your<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/blog-how-to-build-lean-muscle-mass\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"> lean mass is just as important<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"> as your body fat percentage. Research has consistently linked a higher lean mass (and associated strength training) to a whole host of health benefits, including:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 300;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Increased strength and functional ability<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 300;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Reduced <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3661116\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">rates of insulin resistance<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 300;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">A boosted metabolic rate<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 300;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Improved posture and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC5609666\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">flexibility<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 300;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">A decreased <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/30131332\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">risk of injury<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"> or <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/30703272\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">falls<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 300;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Positive effect on <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC6323511\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">bone density<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">As with other body composition metrics, such as body fat percentage and visceral fat levels, a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/services\/dexa\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">DEXA scan<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"> is the most accurate way to assess your lean mass.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_is_body_composition_important\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 500;\">Why is body composition important?<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image _builder_version=&#8221;4.24.3&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; alt=&#8221;A man and a woman stand triumphantly in a gym, each smiling and posed to flex a bicep. They are holding a dumbbell and a gym towel. &#8221; title_text=&#8221;shutterstock_2325600713&#8243; src=&#8221;https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/shutterstock_2325600713.jpg&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.24.3&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;]<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Body composition is a great predictor of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/blog-the-importance-of-body-composition-testing\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">overall health and fitness<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">. Having a healthy body composition can help decrease your risk of developing certain health conditions, such as:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 300;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Metabolic disorders (including <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC2658023\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Type 2 Diabetes<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"> and insulin resistance)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 300;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/17110092\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Cardiovascular disease<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"> (CVD)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 300;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Cardiovascular events such as stroke or heart attack<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 300;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">High cholesterol<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">But what does a \u201chealthy\u201d body composition look like?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Typically, when we talk about a healthy body composition we\u2019re talking about some combination of lower body fat and higher lean mass. However, exactly what these numbers are will depend on your body type, genetics, and fitness goals. An ideal body composition will vary based on your age and sex.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_a_healthy_body_fat_percentage\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 500;\">What is a healthy body fat percentage?<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">What does a healthy body fat percentage look like?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">The body fat percentages in the chart below show a healthy level based on your age and sex: <\/span><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image _builder_version=&#8221;4.24.3&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; alt=&#8221;My Vital Metrics body fat percentage chart for men and women.&#8221; title_text=&#8221;MVM_BODYFATCHART_NEW&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/MVM_BODYFATCHART_NEW.png&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.24.3&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;]<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">There are a lot of factors that can affect your body fat percentage, including your genetics, diet, and activity level. If you\u2019re a professional athlete or consistently active, you may have a lower body fat percentage than those shown.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_a_healthy_body_fat_percentage_for_women\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 500;\">What is a healthy body fat percentage for women?<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">A healthy body fat percentage for women will typically fall between 15-33%. For optimal fitness, you may want to aim for a body fat percentage of 16-25% \u2013 however, this will depend on your age.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">While it\u2019s possible to maintain a body fat percentage lower than 15% \u2013 typically for competition \u2013 this level can <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/melissaboufounos.com\/the-dangers-of-very-low-body-fat-levels-in-women\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">lead to risks<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"> such as the loss of your menstrual cycle, development of low bone density or osteoporosis, and feelings of fatigue.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Not sure what your body fat percentage is? We\u2019ll outline the best ways to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/blog-how-accurate-are-body-fat-scales\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">assess your body composition<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"> later in this article.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_a_healthy_body_fat_percentage_for_men\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 500;\">What is a healthy body fat percentage for men?<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">A healthy body fat percentage for men will typically fall between 8-19%. For optimal fitness, you may want to aim for a body fat percentage between 10-15%, depending on your age.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">While a single-figure body fat percentage might be impressive, it typically isn\u2019t sustainable for everyday life outside of fitness competition. Extremely <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.menshealth.com\/uk\/building-muscle\/a759234\/what-body-fat-percentage-should-i-be-to-see-abs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">low levels of body fat<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"> can lead to muscle loss, nervous system damage, dehydration, or low bone density and the development of osteoporosis.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_a_healthy_visceral_fat_percentage\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 500;\">What is a healthy visceral fat percentage?<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Visceral fat is an incredibly important metric when it comes to assessing your overall body composition. You can use the visceral fat chart below to assess whether your level of visceral fat is ideal or puts you at an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image _builder_version=&#8221;4.24.3&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; alt=&#8221;The chart shows the visceral fat ranges described as %22ideal%22, %22increased risk of cardiovascular disease%22, and %22high risk of cardiovascular disease%22.&#8221; title_text=&#8221;MVM visceral fat chart NEW&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/MVM-visceral-fat-chart-NEW.png&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.24.3&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;]<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">The best way to accurately measure your visceral fat levels is via a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/services\/dexa\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">professional DEXA scan<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"> for body composition. If you\u2019re concerned about your level of visceral fat, there are actions you can take to lower it, including:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 300;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Eating a diet high in fresh foods, fibre, and good quality fats\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 300;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Engaging in regular exercise\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 300;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Incorporating both cardio and strength-training workouts\u00a0 into your week<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 300;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Having a good regular sleep pattern and taking steps to ensure good sleep quality\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 300;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Substantially lowering, limiting, or eliminating your alcohol intake\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 300;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Limiting your consumption of certain fats, including trans fats<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 300;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Managing your psychological and physiological stress levels.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_calculate_body_fat_percentage\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 500;\">How to calculate body fat percentage\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">With so many different ways to measure (or estimate) body fat percentage, it can be hard to know which is best. Let\u2019s take a look at some of the most popular body fat measurement methods.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"DEXA_scan\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 500;\">DEXA scan\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">A DEXA scan is the gold standard in body composition testing and is the best way to accurately measure your body fat percentage. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">In addition to calculating your body fat percentage, a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/blog-what-does-a-body-composition-scan-show\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">DEXA scan also measures these metrics<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 300;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Fat mass and distribution<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 300;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Visceral fat<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 300;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Android: gynoid ratio<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 300;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Fat-free body weight<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 300;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Muscle mass and distribution<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 300;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Muscular balance<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 300;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Bone density\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Plus, unlike the other body composition analysis methods on this list, a DEXA scan can tell you not just how much body fat you have, but <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">where <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">you are storing it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Bioelectrical_impedance_analysis\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 500;\">Bioelectrical impedance analysis\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">You might have encountered bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) in your <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/blog-how-accurate-are-body-fat-scales\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">smart scale<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">. BIA measures the rate at which an electrical current travels through the body to calculate an estimate of body fat mass. Then, an estimate of body fat percentage is calculated using demographic information such as sex, age, height, and weight.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Crucially, this is an <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">estimate <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">\u2013 not a measurement. However, BIA-enabled scales can be an inexpensive and accessible way to track trends in your body fat percentage at home. Since DEXA scans can only be performed once every 2-3 months, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/services\/body-composition-membership\/#:~:text=T\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">keeping track of your body composition with BIA<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"> can be a great way to stay informed in between scans.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Skinfold_measurements\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 500;\">Skinfold measurements\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">A skinfold test is carried out using a piece of equipment called skinfold callipers which use skinfold thickness as an estimation of body fat percentage.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Skinfold measurements are usually taken from a few different locations, including the abdomen, triceps, quadriceps, below the shoulder blade, above the hip bone, and mid-chest area. These measurements can be input into an online body fat percentage calculator to calculate an estimate of body fat percentage.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are_there_limitations_to_body_fat_percentage_measurements\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 500;\">Are there limitations to body fat percentage measurements?<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">The biggest limitation of body fat percentage measurements is their accuracy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">When measured using a precise and reliable method such as a professional DEXA scan, body fat percentage measurements are highly accurate and a great tool for assessing overall health. However, inaccurate measurements can be misleading at best \u2013 and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/blog-are-your-dexa-body-fat-results-right\/#:~:text=\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">damaging at worst<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">If you\u2019re looking to better understand and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/blog-lose-fat-with-a-dexa-scan-for-body-fat\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">improve your body fat percentage<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">, getting a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/services\/dexa\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">professional DEXA scan for body composition<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"> is the best place to start.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Which_is_better_BMI_or_body_fat_percentage\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 500;\">Which is better: BMI or body fat percentage?<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image _builder_version=&#8221;4.24.3&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; alt=&#8221;An open notebook, in which the formula for calculating BMI is written, sits atop a table alongside a green, curled tape measure, half a kiwi, and a red apple. &#8221; title_text=&#8221;shutterstock_411310006&#8243; src=&#8221;https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/shutterstock_411310006.jpg&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.24.3&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;]<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">If you\u2019re looking to assess your overall health and fitness, you might have started by weighing yourself and calculating your BMI.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">BMI takes your height and weight and performs a simple calculation to determine whether you are a healthy weight for your height and sex. BMI is commonly used in medical and fitness settings alike to provide a quick estimate of your health.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">However, BMI frequently fails to offer an accurate picture of a person\u2019s health. Not only is BMI <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.urmc.rochester.edu\/news\/publications\/health-matters\/is-bmi-accurate\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">more accurate on a population level<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"> than it is for a specific individual, but BMI is also more inaccurate for certain groups of people, including certain ethnic groups, people who are extremely tall or short, and those with a higher muscle mass.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">The biggest flaw in the use of BMI for assessing health may lie in this last point \u2013 when BMI uses your weight, it <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/rethinking-fat\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">doesn\u2019t distinguish between weight from fat mass<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"> and weight from muscle mass. For this reason, an \u201coverweight\u201d or \u201cobese\u201d BMI could reflect either a person with a high level of body fat <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">or<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"> a high level of muscle mass \u2013 there\u2019s no way of knowing from this single figure.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Unlike BMI, your body fat percentage is a measure of your body composition and offers a better picture of your overall fitness level. Other measures \u2013 such as <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.medicalnewstoday.com\/articles\/204075\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">waist size<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.medicalnewstoday.com\/articles\/245328#1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">waist: height ratio<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"> \u2013 have also been shown to be better predictors of certain health conditions, such as Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, than BMI.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">So, if you\u2019re wondering if BMI or body fat percentage is more accurate, the answer will almost always be body fat. If you calculate your BMI, make sure to take the result with a grain of salt \u2013 and take your current body composition into account, too.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Need_help_reaching_a_healthy_body_fat_percentage\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 500;\">Need help reaching a healthy body fat percentage?<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image _builder_version=&#8221;4.24.3&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; alt=&#8221;A team of personal trainers of a variety of genders and racial backgrounds stand with their arms crossed, grinning, in front of a blurred gym background.  &#8221; title_text=&#8221;shutterstock_2254971663&#8243; src=&#8221;https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/shutterstock_2254971663.jpg&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.24.3&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;]<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">The single most important aspect of reaching a healthy body fat percentage is to know exactly where you stand now. Understanding your current body composition via an accurate and reliable method can help you to know the following:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 300;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">How much weight should I be looking to lose\/gain?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 300;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">How much muscle mass do I have and do I need to take that into account?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 300;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">What amounts of food should I be eating to support my goal as best I can?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">And then as the plan progresses:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 300;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">How is my current plan working, and do I need to change anything in order to continue to achieve my goals?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">The best way to accurately assess your body fat percentage and overall body composition is with a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/services\/dexa\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">professional DEXA scan<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">Whether you\u2019re just starting out on your fitness journey, or looking to optimise your performance, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">My Vital Metrics<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\"> is here to help you reach your full potential. Our DEXA scans for body composition and bone density are a great investment for anyone looking to improve their health and fitness.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">To find out more or to book your free fitness and nutritional consultation, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">reach out to My Vital Metrics today<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300;\">!<\/span><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Weight, BMI, body fat, waist-to-height or waist-to-hip ratios\u2026 There are plenty of metrics we can pay attention to when it comes to assessing our body composition. In this blog, we\u2019ll take a look at body fat percentage and ask what a healthy level of body fat looks like. We\u2019ll outline why body composition matters, what [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":801897,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[38,12,59],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-801890","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-body-comp","category-dexa","category-health-and-fitness-testing"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/801890","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=801890"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/801890\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/801897"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=801890"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=801890"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myvitalmetrics.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=801890"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}