We are pleased to announce that as of March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor has been introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!

Scale % Question

nsantoro126
nsantoro126 Posts: 3 Member
edited February 25 in Health and Weight Loss
Hi MFP,

I have a question for you. I have a scale that measures muscle, fat, bone and water percentage. I am finding some contradictory results online and I am wondering if you could help me out. I am a 5'9" 25 year-old female. Do any of you have advice or links as to what percentages fat, muscle, bone and water should be for me? I would greatly appreciate it. :-)

Replies

  • AJ_G
    AJ_G Posts: 4,158 Member
    Just as a heads up, the scale you're referring to is an electrical impedance scale. They are notoriously unreliable when it comes to measuring body fat % and other factors. As far as what body fat percentage you should shoot for, it depends what you want. Just keep looking at yourself in the mirror while your body changes
  • MKEgal
    MKEgal Posts: 3,250 Member
    "The American Council on Exercise provides the following ranges for body-fat percentage:"

    Essential fat
    F 10-12%
    M 2-4%

    Athletes
    F 14-20%
    M 6-13%

    Fitness
    F 21-24%
    M 14-17%

    Acceptable
    F 25-31%
    M 18-25%

    Obese
    F 32% plus
    M 26% plus"

    "Bioelectrical impedance analysis ... is the technology behind the many fat percentage scales sold for home use. The error rates for these can be as high as 8%, plus or minus"

    .http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/body-fat-measurement?page=2
  • MKEgal
    MKEgal Posts: 3,250 Member
    So it appears the answer is not to go below 12% or above 31%.
    Quite a range.
  • Stopin_da_yoyo
    Stopin_da_yoyo Posts: 138 Member
    Sounds like a great scale but with such a high variance personally I would stick to weight and measuring and just overall how you feel.
This discussion has been closed.

Categories