Body fat percentage for women?
stelloian
Posts: 51 Member
I am looking to set goals that are realistic and healthy. I am curious what others consider a healthy body fat percentage.
I currently just measured 18.9 % but I have about 10-15 lbs left to lose.
In my old athletic days, I was sub 12% but had issues with my cycle as a result (lack of a cycle). I don't want to be unhealthy, but I do want to have a good body composition.
What is a good % for women in your opinion?
I currently just measured 18.9 % but I have about 10-15 lbs left to lose.
In my old athletic days, I was sub 12% but had issues with my cycle as a result (lack of a cycle). I don't want to be unhealthy, but I do want to have a good body composition.
What is a good % for women in your opinion?
1
Replies
-
I'm at 14.4% right now and I feel probably the healthiest I've ever felt for what that's worth-1
-
Is your profile pic current?1
-
zoeysasha37 wrote: »Is your profile pic current?
This and how are you measuring your bf%3 -
Here's a helpful link. Scroll down to see the pictures of ladies and their body fat percentages
http://www.myfitfuel.in/mffblog/complete-guide-body-fat-percentage/2 -
singingflutelady wrote: »zoeysasha37 wrote: »Is your profile pic current?
This and how are you measuring your bf%
Same question...
I'm almost 30 and at 23% bf which is below average.... I'd like to be at 18-20%.. I think that's a very good bf % for an active woman.0 -
Some scales claim to measure body fat percentage but they are inaccurate for a variety of reasons.
Calipers even have room for error!
Dexa scan or bodpod is a more accurate way to measure bf %
0 -
I found this body fat calculator interesting ...
http://m.free-online-calculator-use.com/military-body-fat-calculator.html
It put me at 25.1% whereas my bathroom scale put me at 23%.
For reference, my BMI is between 20.4 and 20.8 (I fluctuate up and down by a kilogram or so).
This chart was also informative ...
Using either calculation (25.1% or 23%), that puts me right on the border between lean and ideal. That's not a bad place to be.
(I got this information from this thread:
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10414940/ladies-were-you-shocked-by-your-body-fat/p1)0 -
purple18194 wrote: »I'm at 14.4% right now and I feel probably the healthiest I've ever felt for what that's worth
Do you know what that BF looks like on a woman? That's close to essential fat levels. I think you might have misunderstood, believed the wrong kind of estimate or have serious body issues ...I am looking to set goals that are realistic and healthy. I am curious what others consider a healthy body fat percentage.
I currently just measured 18.9 % but I have about 10-15 lbs left to lose.
In my old athletic days, I was sub 12% but had issues with my cycle as a result (lack of a cycle). I don't want to be unhealthy, but I do want to have a good body composition.
What is a good % for women in your opinion?
I would doubt, if that is a current avatar, that you are sub 25% tbh
2 -
I found this body fat calculator interesting ...
http://m.free-online-calculator-use.com/military-body-fat-calculator.html
It put me at 25.1% whereas my bathroom scale put me at 23%.
For reference, my BMI is between 20.4 and 20.8 (I fluctuate up and down by a kilogram or so).
This chart was also informative ...
Using either calculation (25.1% or 23%), that puts me right on the border between lean and ideal. That's not a bad place to be.
(I got this information from this thread:
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10414940/ladies-were-you-shocked-by-your-body-fat/p1)
Interesting. That calculator actually gave me a lower number then my scale (although not by much).
Scale 20 day moving avg: 23.6%
Calculator: 22.8 %
BMI based on trend weight : 21.20 -
I think 17-20% for most women is ideal. Mine is probably a little lower due to the fact I have no boobs and am genetically predispositioned to low BF, but to me 17% on a female with good muscle mass and boobs is ideal.0
-
purple18194 wrote: »I'm at 14.4% right now and I feel probably the healthiest I've ever felt for what that's worth
Do you know what that BF looks like on a woman? That's close to essential fat levels. I think you might have misunderstood, believed the wrong kind of estimate or have serious body issues ...
Looking at her profile pics, I would hazard she is correct in the 14.4 range. I think she looks fine however. Some people, especially smaller framed women can carry off lower BF. It's all a matter of personal preference however.
0 -
I'm happy with 22-26%.
Here are some pictures from women who had their BF% measured by DEXA: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/jemhh/view/body-fat-percentage-women-7346180 -
I found this body fat calculator interesting ...
http://m.free-online-calculator-use.com/military-body-fat-calculator.html
[/i]
That calculator gives you lower bf for a larger neck, so if you have a fatty neck, it will underestimate your bf. It gives you slightly lower bf for a smaller waist, and much lower bf for smaller hips, so if you have broad hips and/or a muscular butt, you're likely to get an overestimate of your bf.
0 -
< 30% for women is generally considered in the healthy range. I've seen varying numbers for the lower healthy number, and it varies with age. Post menopausal women are often recommended to not drop below 22%.2
-
shadow2soul wrote: »I found this body fat calculator interesting ...
http://m.free-online-calculator-use.com/military-body-fat-calculator.html
It put me at 25.1% whereas my bathroom scale put me at 23%.
For reference, my BMI is between 20.4 and 20.8 (I fluctuate up and down by a kilogram or so).
This chart was also informative ...
Using either calculation (25.1% or 23%), that puts me right on the border between lean and ideal. That's not a bad place to be.
(I got this information from this thread:
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10414940/ladies-were-you-shocked-by-your-body-fat/p1)
Interesting. That calculator actually gave me a lower number then my scale (although not by much).
Scale 20 day moving avg: 23.6%
Calculator: 22.8 %
BMI based on trend weight : 21.2
FYI: BMI does not give you BF%, it is just a number that is a function of height and weight. A body builder may have a BMI of around 30, but a BF% of 6%, it is only coincidence that the numbers are close for you. BMI does not take into account the amount of fat or muscle you have.
OP, if your pic is current I would peg you around the 30% BF%, not close to 18.9%, how did you calculate your BF%?0 -
shadow2soul wrote: »I found this body fat calculator interesting ...
http://m.free-online-calculator-use.com/military-body-fat-calculator.html
It put me at 25.1% whereas my bathroom scale put me at 23%.
For reference, my BMI is between 20.4 and 20.8 (I fluctuate up and down by a kilogram or so).
This chart was also informative ...
Using either calculation (25.1% or 23%), that puts me right on the border between lean and ideal. That's not a bad place to be.
(I got this information from this thread:
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10414940/ladies-were-you-shocked-by-your-body-fat/p1)
Interesting. That calculator actually gave me a lower number then my scale (although not by much).
Scale 20 day moving avg: 23.6%
Calculator: 22.8 %
BMI based on trend weight : 21.2
FYI: BMI does not give you BF%, it is just a number that is a function of height and weight. A body builder may have a BMI of around 30, but a BF% of 6%, it is only coincidence that the numbers are close for you. BMI does not take into account the amount of fat or muscle you have.
I doubt a woman could ever have a BMI of 30 and BF% of 6. That type of anomaly only happens in men.0 -
Need2Exerc1se wrote: »shadow2soul wrote: »I found this body fat calculator interesting ...
http://m.free-online-calculator-use.com/military-body-fat-calculator.html
It put me at 25.1% whereas my bathroom scale put me at 23%.
For reference, my BMI is between 20.4 and 20.8 (I fluctuate up and down by a kilogram or so).
This chart was also informative ...
Using either calculation (25.1% or 23%), that puts me right on the border between lean and ideal. That's not a bad place to be.
(I got this information from this thread:
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10414940/ladies-were-you-shocked-by-your-body-fat/p1)
Interesting. That calculator actually gave me a lower number then my scale (although not by much).
Scale 20 day moving avg: 23.6%
Calculator: 22.8 %
BMI based on trend weight : 21.2
FYI: BMI does not give you BF%, it is just a number that is a function of height and weight. A body builder may have a BMI of around 30, but a BF% of 6%, it is only coincidence that the numbers are close for you. BMI does not take into account the amount of fat or muscle you have.
I doubt a woman could ever have a BMI of 30 and BF% of 6. That type of anomaly only happens in men.
I never said they could, I was pointing out that BMI has nothing to do with BF%. I could have said BMI of 30 and BF% of 14%, tells the same story1 -
The military calc put me at 28%, my scale at home puts me amount 27%, depending on the day. Close enough. I'd like to be sub 25%, that would give me the body shape I want.0
-
Need2Exerc1se wrote: »shadow2soul wrote: »I found this body fat calculator interesting ...
http://m.free-online-calculator-use.com/military-body-fat-calculator.html
It put me at 25.1% whereas my bathroom scale put me at 23%.
For reference, my BMI is between 20.4 and 20.8 (I fluctuate up and down by a kilogram or so).
This chart was also informative ...
Using either calculation (25.1% or 23%), that puts me right on the border between lean and ideal. That's not a bad place to be.
(I got this information from this thread:
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10414940/ladies-were-you-shocked-by-your-body-fat/p1)
Interesting. That calculator actually gave me a lower number then my scale (although not by much).
Scale 20 day moving avg: 23.6%
Calculator: 22.8 %
BMI based on trend weight : 21.2
FYI: BMI does not give you BF%, it is just a number that is a function of height and weight. A body builder may have a BMI of around 30, but a BF% of 6%, it is only coincidence that the numbers are close for you. BMI does not take into account the amount of fat or muscle you have.
I doubt a woman could ever have a BMI of 30 and BF% of 6. That type of anomaly only happens in men.
I never said they could, I was pointing out that BMI has nothing to do with BF%. I could have said BMI of 30 and BF% of 14%, tells the same story
I'm not disagreeing with you just pointing out that BMI and BF are much more closely related in women than men even if the woman is fit.0 -
Is that picture current? That looks much higher than 19% bodyfat.
I'm pretty lean by nature and caliper, measurements, BIA, all put me around 20-22%, but when I looked at Jen's picture of 25.7% I think I look like i have that much fat? Just not boobs. But I may have more muscle than the lady in that image; my legs and arms feel very firm, ribs pretty much right under skin, hipbones define hips, the only squish is around the middle, more lats than the picture.
What looks and feels good depends on your body type.0 -
mom23mangos wrote: »I think 17-20% for most women is ideal. Mine is probably a little lower due to the fact I have no boobs and am genetically predispositioned to low BF, but to me 17% on a female with good muscle mass and boobs is ideal.
I disagree, quite a lot actually ...see the chart posted in this thread and the difference between lean and ideal. There are similar charts which talk of under fat which may be more appropriate (unless temp stage ready state)mom23mangos wrote: »purple18194 wrote: »I'm at 14.4% right now and I feel probably the healthiest I've ever felt for what that's worth
Do you know what that BF looks like on a woman? That's close to essential fat levels. I think you might have misunderstood, believed the wrong kind of estimate or have serious body issues ...
Looking at her profile pics, I would hazard she is correct in the 14.4 range. I think she looks fine however. Some people, especially smaller framed women can carry off lower BF. It's all a matter of personal preference however.
Your guess would be IMO wrong that is very low BF and you would probably be seeing significant musculature (if present) and vascularity which is not present on those profile shots. Although I agree she looks very good ...sorry to talk about you so objectively purple
0 -
I was still 22% body fat by calipers when I had hipbones protruding, ribs showing, extremely prominent collarbones... "Good" depends in part on how your body fat is distributed and in part on how much muscle you have. I'm sitting around 25% right now, and while I could drop a bit of fat off my stomach, I don't want to lean out so much I go back to being bony in some places. So 23-24% is probably ideal for me, and I'd only go lower by adding muscle. I think 20% would be my absolute lower limit. It would also be bloody hard for me to maintain, I think.
...I'm also trusting calipers, so I could be a couple % different in either direction, I guess.1 -
mskessler89 wrote: »I was still 22% body fat by calipers when I had hipbones protruding, ribs showing, extremely prominent collarbones... "Good" depends in part on how your body fat is distributed and in part on how much muscle you have. I'm sitting around 25% right now, and while I could drop a bit of fat off my stomach, I don't want to lean out so much I go back to being bony in some places. So 23-24% is probably ideal for me, and I'd only go lower by adding muscle. I think 20% would be my absolute lower limit. It would also be bloody hard for me to maintain, I think.
...I'm also trusting calipers, so I could be a couple % different in either direction, I guess.
Collarbones are a funny measure - I'll never not have prominent collarbones, and some ribs showing in decolletage, that's just how my body is made. It's not a worrying thing at all to me, I literally have never thought about it until reading this. It's not a sign of being underfat.
Hipbones for me don't stick out unless I am underfat though. They do define my width; I don't have body sticking out past the hipbones but don't have hipbones sticking out past my waist even when very skinny. I would consider prominent hipbones on me to be a bad sign. If my hips were wider, though, maybe I wouldn't.
So again, ideal isn't a set % of body fat. Ideal depends on your body type, your preferences, how you feel too, not just how you look.0 -
mom23mangos wrote: »I think 17-20% for most women is ideal. Mine is probably a little lower due to the fact I have no boobs and am genetically predispositioned to low BF, but to me 17% on a female with good muscle mass and boobs is ideal.
I disagree, quite a lot actually ...see the chart posted in this thread and the difference between lean and ideal. There are similar charts which talk of under fat which may be more appropriate (unless temp stage ready state).
I think we arguing semantics. I was not talking about ideal from the chart, but just what my opinion of ideal is (from an aesthetic viewpoint, not medical) based upon pictures of women around that BF range like @jemhh posted above. It's only my opinion. You are entitled to think a higher BF% is ideal. We all have our different perceptions. And our perception may be different than whatever the guideline is for the average female.0 -
purple18194 wrote: »I'm at 14.4% right now and I feel probably the healthiest I've ever felt for what that's worth
Do you know what that BF looks like on a woman? That's close to essential fat levels. I think you might have misunderstood, believed the wrong kind of estimate or have serious body issues ...I am looking to set goals that are realistic and healthy. I am curious what others consider a healthy body fat percentage.
I currently just measured 18.9 % but I have about 10-15 lbs left to lose.
In my old athletic days, I was sub 12% but had issues with my cycle as a result (lack of a cycle). I don't want to be unhealthy, but I do want to have a good body composition.
What is a good % for women in your opinion?
I would doubt, if that is a current avatar, that you are sub 25% tbh
Wow, this is an incredibly rude response. Yes, I know what 14% BF looks like on a woman, I did not misunderstand as I have my measurements done by a professional, and no, I don't have serious body issues. But I'm glad you can tell all of that from my avatar. Dang.
0 -
Wow, this is an incredibly rude response. Yes, I know what 14% BF looks like on a woman, I did not misunderstand as I have my measurements done by a professional, and no, I don't have serious body issues. But I'm glad you can tell all of that from my avatar. Dang.1
-
purple18194 wrote: »Wow, this is an incredibly rude response. Yes, I know what 14% BF looks like on a woman, I did not misunderstand as I have my measurements done by a professional, and no, I don't have serious body issues. But I'm glad you can tell all of that from my avatar. Dang.
@purple18194 the 25% minimum comment was not about you but the OP.0 -
I think the avatar remark of 25% BF was directed at the OP.0
-
-
purple18194 wrote: »purple18194 wrote: »I'm at 14.4% right now and I feel probably the healthiest I've ever felt for what that's worth
Do you know what that BF looks like on a woman? That's close to essential fat levels. I think you might have misunderstood, believed the wrong kind of estimate or have serious body issuesI am looking to set goals that are realistic and healthy. I am curious what others consider a healthy body fat percentage.
I currently just measured 18.9 % but I have about 10-15 lbs left to lose.
In my old athletic days, I was sub 12% but had issues with my cycle as a result (lack of a cycle). I don't want to be unhealthy, but I do want to have a good body composition.
What is a good % for women in your opinion?
I would doubt, if that is a current avatar, that you are sub 25% tbh
Wow, this is an incredibly rude response. Yes, I know what 14% BF looks like on a woman, I did not misunderstand as I have my measurements done by a professional, and no, I don't have serious body issues. But I'm glad you can tell all of that from my avatar. Dang.
There is nothing rude in being objective - there is a lot of misunderstanding on how Body Fat %ages work and differ between the genders.
To confirm, the around 25% estimate was visual and regarding OP, hence why it was directly under quoting her post - it's within a good BF % range for a woman, and can be close to lean dependent on age.
14% BF, which is what you said you were, dependent on frame and musculature will tend to show vascularity and musculature because it is extremely low for women (in the underfat region)
there are lots of different photos online re body fat - and of course they all differ based on genetic physique and training. I've always felt this one is representative
but there's the one above and this one
and millions more
0
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 393.4K Introduce Yourself
- 43.8K Getting Started
- 260.2K Health and Weight Loss
- 175.9K Food and Nutrition
- 47.4K Recipes
- 232.5K Fitness and Exercise
- 426 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.5K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.5K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 153K Motivation and Support
- 8K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.3K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 3.7K MyFitnessPal Information
- 24 News and Announcements
- 1.1K Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.6K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions