Body Fat Percentage...?

QuestForFitness

I was reading my magazine today and it says women should aim for 14-18% body fat. Is this accurate?

Azdak

Body fat recommendations are subjective and often political. Before you consider anyone's definition of "ideal" you have to determine their criteria and sometimes their agenda.

Among the criteria can be:

Health risk

Appearance

Impact on athletic performance

Body image and self esteem

For example, the current consensus of "acceptable" body fat % for women (i.e. the body fat % that carries little long term health risk) ranges as high as 32%-34%.

Many women feel they look just fine in the 24%-26% range (some even a little higher).

Someone who wants to achieve their best in a lot of sport activities, look really lean and athletic--those are going to be in the 14%-16% range. Female bodybuilders would go even lower.

So there is no one set answer.

I think the main thing is that, whatever goal you choose, you choose one that's realistic for you and your body type, and you achieve it in a healthy way.

fionat29

I really hope not!! My percentage is about 31% I think?? I cant really imagine doing much else to drop it so low. Wow, 14-18%!! Thats really low!!

Ifican

@fionat29 If that is your picture and a pretty true representation of you i would say you are in the upper teens or low 20's in percentage. Most woman in low 30's as stated though not necessarily susceptible to added health risk are going to be considered to be over weight. The most accurate way to determine body fat percentage is via hydro, next best in calipers but they can go from being fairly accurate to completely off based on the experience of the user. Lastly is the electrical impedance testing that has seen popularity. If you test yourself regularly at the exact same hydration level it will ok, however hydration status, will greatly effect the outcome of the test.

SoCalSwimmerDude

I was reading my magazine today and it says women should aim for 14-18% body fat. Is this accurate?

I'd say no... Women in the 14% range are often the muscle building types for shows. 18-22 is still pretty darn lean.

tangal88

some representative picture of what different body fat percentages can look like. This may help you better visualize the impact of each.

http://www.leighpeele.com/body-fat-pictures-and-percentages